Luistro sees resumption of classes in flooded areas by Monday

MANILA, Philippines - Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that he expects the resumption of regular classes in all schools in Metro Manila and other regions affected by the heavy rains by Monday next week.

More than 160 public schools are currently serving as evacuation centers but as the weather continues to improve, floods are expected to subside, enabling evacuees to return to their homes.

“I think they’ll be done by this weekend given the improving weather situation,” Luistro said.

“In case their stay is extended, those schools will have other contingency plans including ALS (Alternative Learning Systems) for students and student evacuees,” he noted.

Luistro said that school division superintendents (SDSs) are expected to implement make-up classes by next week, when regular classes resume.

“We leave it to the discretion of the SDS and these will be a combination of any of the following: additional two hours per day sessions, some Saturday classes and/or subject modules for take home assignments,” he explained.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim said that classes in all levels in public schools from pre-school to college will remain suspended while work at Manila City Hall will resume today.

With regard to private schools, Lim said he is leaving it up to school authorities to decide on whether or not to suspend classes.

Lim noted waters in some areas leading to and from schools have not receded and the suspension of classes will give school authorities time to have their schools cleaned up and fixed in time for the resumption of classes next week.

Meanwhile, Manila remains under a state of calamity to allow barangays to use their calamity funds.

Lim supervised yesterday the siphoning off of floodwaters that filled the Lagusnilad and Recto underpasses in Manila, which serve as main thoroughfares for vehicles plying the city.

He also directed city engineer Armand Andres to seek assistance from fire volunteers, including Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), to speed up efforts to clear the underpasses.

According to social welfare chief Jay de la Fuente, the flood that filled the underpasses reached a height of 16 feet. 

Andres said while Lagusnilad may be passable within the day, the clearing of Recto underpass could take about two to three days.

One person was reportedly killed while executing dives into the Recto underpass.

Lim also made the rounds of the city to check on the condition of flooded areas, including schools and covered courts that serve as evacuation centers to bring goods and monitor the situation of the evacuees.  

In Damka, Sta. Mesa, where floods reached up to five feet, Lim and his officials distributed food, cash assistance, used clothing and other relief items. – With Sandy Araneta