Batangas, Rizal suspend classes due to Kristine

INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

LUCENA CITY — Classes in elementary and senior high schools in public and private schools and government offices in Batangas and Rizal provinces were suspended on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 22, due to bad weather brought by Tropical Storm Kristine.

The Batangas Public Information Office (PIO) announced the suspension on its Facebook page around 1 p.m. upon the recommendation of Vice Gov. Mark Leviste, now acting governor, and the provincial risk reduction management council.

“Likewise, work hours in the provincial government of Batangas are suspended immediately for the safety of our employees and visitors,” the announcement said.

The PIO said key offices and departments vital to their disaster management and relief operations would remain open.

It said that colleges, universities, and other schools may suspend operations at the discretion of their respective administrations and/or local government units.

Rizal Gov. Rebecca Ynarez on Tuesday also suspended classes in public and private schools in the province due to bad weather.

“Schools are also reminded to ensure the safety of students and staff either in returning home or within the school premises if travel or going home is not safe,” Ynarez said in a post on her Facebook.

She cited that based on Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 37 issued in 2022, class suspensions for online and face-to-face classes at all levels are automatically suspended once the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) issues any tropical cyclone wind signal, an orange or red rainfall warning, or a flood warning.

“For colleges and universities, please coordinate with your respective school administrations for the relevant announcements,” the governor said.

Earlier, classes in both public and private schools at all levels were suspended in Cavite, Laguna and Quezon to protect students and teachers from the bad weather.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also announced the suspension of sea travel on Tuesday in Batangas, Quezon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, and Romblon due to rough sea conditions caused by Kristine.

The Pagasa, in its latest bulletin, said Kristine was last located 335 kilometers east over the coastal waters of Virac, Catanduanes with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

Pagasa hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals No. 1 in most parts of Luzon, including the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region.