After the three storms that affected the province in the last two months, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) is now considering to be more flexible in the suspension of work in government offices if weather conditions call for it.
“Ato pud nang gitan-aw kay kung wala ang ginikanan, kung tua ang ginikanan sa work station, lisod sa pag-atiman sa mga anak,” said PDRRMO chief Anthony Damalerio. “We will evaluate this immediately, atong i-assess sa atong disaster council.”
Damalerio pointed out an instance wherein an eight-year-old girl who was walking home alone drowned in a creek swollen by torrential rains after rampaging water swept her away in Dagohoy town as classes were suspended due to a low pressure area.
“Usa ni sa atong gitan-aw in coordination sa atong mga opisyalis sa DepEd [Department of Education],” said Damalerio.
However, he noted that the PDDRM Council chaired by Governor Edgar Chatto would still have to thoroughly assess weather conditions and other circumstances before deciding to suspend work in government offices.
When Tropical Depression “Basyang” swept through the Bohol Sea on Tuesday, the provincial government only suspended classes in all levels for both public and private schools.
Based on Executive Order 66, classes in preschool are automatically suspended in areas placed under Storm Signal Number 1.
Classes in elementary and secondary levels are to be cancelled when Storm Signal Number 2 is hoisted over an area.
When Storm Signal No. 3 or higher is raised, tertiary level classes in the affected area including graduate school as well as work in all government offices are to be suspended.
However, the EO stipulates that local chief executives may implement localized cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices in the absence of a storm warning signal. (R. Tutas)