Classes called off in Metro as residents hunker down for ‘Ruby’

Ever ready. Rescuers in the flood-prone city of Malabon prepare their fiberglass boats for deployment with Typhoon “Ruby” expected to be closest to Metro Manila on Monday. Lyn Rillon

Classes in all levels in public and private schools in the whole of Metro Manila have been suspended on Monday, Dec. 8, as Typhoon “Ruby”—which is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains (see related story above)—makes its closest approach to the metropolis.

As of 5:30 p.m. Sunday, the following local governments had ordered the suspension of classes in their areas: Parañaque City, Pasay City, Navotas City, Valenzuela City, Pasig City, Muntinlupa City, Pateros, Quezon City, Makati City, Marikina City, Mandaluyong City, San Juan City, Las Pinas City, Malabon City, Manila, Taguig City and Caloocan City.

At the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, an announcement on its Facebook page said that most offices on the Quezon City campus would be closed on Monday due to the typhoon except for those that perform “vital functions such as the University Health Service.”

UP Diliman Vice Chancellor for community affairs Nestor Castro, however, requested the offices to maintain a skeletal force.

In a follow-up advisory, University Registrar Evangeline Amor said that examinations scheduled on Monday would be moved to Dec. 14, Sunday.

In Makati, Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay said that the city was preparing for the “worst scenario” as he said that they were not taking any chances. “We need to be ready for any eventuality,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the Manila City government is bracing for heavy rain, strong winds and huge waves with local disaster management officials expecting flooding and storm surges from Manila Bay.

Mayor Joseph Estrada also suspended work in city hall on Monday save for offices involved in disaster response and relief efforts.

“We have recommended the suspension of classes and work for Monday as we expect flooding and storm surge of at least two to three meters high,” said Johnny Yu, chief of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO).

Yu explained that this could mean waves as high as a two-story building battering the coast of Manila Bay. This, coupled with heavy rains and strong winds, could easily destroy shanty houses in informal settler communities near the water.

Many shanties in the area are built on stilts stabbed into the seabed. They are made of light materials such as wood and tarpaulin.

“We already conducted preemptive evacuation in the Baseco area last night but we have instructed all barangays along the coast to be ready for forced evacuation,” Yu said.

At present, at least 85 families have fled their seaside homes to take refuge at the Baseco Evacuation Center, a building specifically built to serve as a refuge for residents during calamities. It can accommodate up to 2,000 people while a similar facility in Del Pan, Tondo, can accommodate about 1,000 people.