DECLARING the suspension of classes and work is a crucial decision that should not be used lightly, especially when the city is only experiencing moderate rain, according to City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) Head Nick Jabagat.
Jabagat said that suspending classes and work can be detrimental to the city’s daily economic activities.
“Kung mag declare ka og suspension (of classes or work), ma apektuhan gyud ang mga jeepney drivers, ang mga vendors, wala na sila’y halin,” Jabagat said.
He emphasized that Cagayan de Oro does not need to follow the trend of other local government units, noting there is a specific procedure for the city mayor to announce class suspensions.
“This would also add another day to their school calendar year to make up for their cancelled classes,” he added.
Jabagat noted that when the city was one of the areas placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 due to Typhoon ‘Tino,’ some social media posts urged the suspension of classes on all levels, including the suspension of work.
“With that typhoon warning, it’s supposed to be the class cancellation of kindergarten level only,” said Jabagat. He pointed out that during the typhoon, Cagayan de Oro had only accumulated about 3.8 millimeters of rain.
He advised residents not to compare the situation here to neighboring towns.
“We already have forecast technology, the right monitoring tools, and weather stations in place. We also have rescue teams ready at all times, and we are closely monitoring water levels,” said Jabagat, who also noted that the typhoon track forecast covers 36 hours.
“Na dismayado gyud ko atong niaging bayo. Daghan man gud mg question nganong wala pa ng suspend og classes dinhi,” Jabagat said, adding that decision-making should not be swayed by comments from a few concerned residents.
A few days after Typhoon ‘Tino,’ Super Typhoon ‘Uwan’ also affected the weather systems here.
However, Cagayan de Oro did not have any other weather advisory, and the city government did not declare any class suspension.
A comment by Jeanily Adlaon on the City Information Office social media post, which stated there was no suspension of classes on November 10, highlighted the anxiety felt by many.
Adlaon wrote: “Ayha na dayon mo declare og suspension of classes kung nka abot na ng mga bata sa eskwelahan. Ang mga ginikanan kapuliki ug pangita balon sa estudyante pamilite para mka eskwela unya pag abot sa school mo ingon dayon ug suspended wala na, nakagasto na.”
This comment aired concerns from parents and residents who naturally feel anxious when a heavy downpour starts.
CDRRMD building update
Meanwhile, Jabagat announced that the new five-story CRRMD building in Barangay Carmen is now in its phase 2.
“In two to three years, it will be completed,” he said. Jabagat said it will house a dormitory for the responders, a training hall, and offices for the members of the CRRMD team.
