Classes in Albay suspended due to rain

Albay Governor Joey Salceda. FILE PHOTO

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—Provincial officials suspended classes at all levels in private and public schools in Albay before noon Friday as a public safety measure due to continuous heavy rain in most of the Bicol area.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda issued the order to suspend classes in Albay effective 11 a.m. Friday following a consultation with the Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration  and the Albay Public Safety, Emergency and Management Office, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in a public advisory.

Salceda explained in a text message that the suspension was a disaster mitigating measure to ensure the safety of students and teachers across the province after Pagasa forecast moderate to heavy rainfall in Albay up to Friday  evening, which could trigger floods in low-lying areas.

The weather bureau, in its bulletin Friday, said the tail end of a cold front would bring moderate to heavy rainfall to the Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions.

Salceda also advised various local disaster councils in the 15 towns and three cities of the province to be on alert for possible flooding in low-lying areas.