21 north Metro schools still flooded

Classes in at least 21 elementary and secondary schools in the northern part of Metro Manila remained suspended yesterday due to floodwater, officials said yesterday.

Marither Menia, Valenzuela City public information officer, said affected by the floods were four high schools and 13 elementary schools in the city.

"Mostly it’s the school grounds that are flooded, not the classrooms. So maybe tomorrow (today), normal classes can resume in the affected schools," Menia told The STAR.

The secondary schools that failed to resume classes yesterday were the Karuhatan National High School, Dalandanan National High School, Pio Valenzuela High School Annex, and the Arkong Bato High School.

In the primary level, classes remained suspended in Wawang Pulo Elementary School, Isla Elementary School, Coloong Elementary School, Pio Valenzuela Elementary School, A. Deato Elementary School, San Diego Elementary School, Karuhatan West Elementary School, Rincon Elementary School, Fernando Elementary School, Tugatog Elementary School, Tagalag Elementary School, Paltok Elementary School and Pasolo Elementary School.

Menia said 274 flood-affected families that earlier fled to evacuation centers have returned to their houses.

Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, she said, ordered yesterday the clearing of city streets and canals.

In Malabon City, two of its schools — the Merville Elementary School and the Longos Elementary School — remained inundated and also failed to resume classes.

According to Ronnie Gumatay of the local public information office, 107 of the 263 flood-affected families remained at evacuation centers.

These were in Barangays Catmon with 38 families, Dampalit (35) and Panghulo (24).

"Most of those who remained at evacuation centers said they have yet to clean their houses of mud and other debris brought by the flood," Gumatay said.

Meanwhile, Gery Doringo, public information officer of the coastal town of Navotas, said the Tanza Elementary School and Tanza National High School remained flooded and also failed to resume classes.

The high tide yesterday was at 1.8 meters.

Mayor Toby Tiangco, Doringo said, met yesterday with Camanava flood control project director Engineer Carla Bartolo and asked that the municipal government be allowed to operate the Babanse pumping station, which is supposed to be opened for operation next year.

"The local government has been allowed to operate the pumping station due to the urgency of the situation. So hopefully it can abate the coming flood problem not only in Navotas, but also in neighboring localities," Doringo said.

In Caloocan City, classes resumed in all levels yesterday with floodwater receding in all of the city’s low-lying areas.