Classes suspended in 8 Biliran towns due to ‘Falcon’

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines –– Classes at all levels in Biliran province were suspended Monday due to the bad weather brought about by Tropical Depression “Falcon.”

All the eight mayors of Biliran signed the class suspension to ensure the safety of the students.

In Cabucgayan town, more than 3,000 students from elementary and college were affected by the suspension of classes, said Hossana Gomez, town planning officer and formerly its disaster risk reduction management officer.

“We have been experiencing moderate to heavy rains since Saturday,” she said in a phone interview.

Gomez said upon the orders of Mayor Marisol Masbag, the town rescue team members immediately checked the condition of the rivers to prevent flooding.

Ten of the town’s 13 barangays were identified to be susceptible to flooding and landslide.

The provincial disaster risk reduction management office directed the local governments in the province to take precautionary measures and monitor the weather condition.

Classes were also suspended in the towns of Maripipi, Culaba, Biliran, Culaba, Almeria, Caibiran, Kawayan, and the provincial capital of Naval.

Work, both in government and private establishments, were not suspended, however.