Marikina holds consultative meeting on suspension of classes

Wednesday 18th of July 2012

MARIKINA CITY, July 18 (PIA) -- The city government of Marikina has held a consultative meeting on the suspension of classes during typhoons.

According to a statement, the meeting was organized by the Department of Interior and Local Government-Marikina.

Marikina Mayor Del de Guzman participated in the said meeting and was joined by officials of the city council, public information office, city disaster risk reduction and management council, barangays and principals of public schools.

The consultative meeting focused on the discussion of Executive Order No. 66, or the prescribing rules on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work on government offices due to typhoon, flooding, other weather disturbances, and calamities signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on January 9, 2012.

The EO strengthens the capacity of local government units (LGUs) for disaster risk reduction and management through decentralized powers, responsibilities, and resources at the regional and local levels. It also states the right time for assessment, decision-making, and announcement in the cancellation of classes.

For morning classes, assessments should be made from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m., decision-making from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m., and the announcement at 4 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. For afternoon classes, assessment should be made from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., decision-making from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and announcement at 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Barangay captains will also assess respective areas during calamities and subsequently inform the city mayor who will give the final decision on the suspension of classes.

“With the help of our barangay captains, we will assess the situation in Marikina to decide whether to suspend classes or not. We will be following the contents of the EO 66,” de Guzman said.

In the absence of the city mayor, de Guzman assigned Public Information Office Chief Paul Edward Sison as focal person to give announcements to media and through social networking sites Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/piomarikina) and Twitter (@MarikinaPIO) on the suspension of classes in the city. (MARIKINA-PIO/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)