Belmonte clarifies class, work suspension guidelines

MANILA, Philippines — Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has institutionalized the guidelines for suspension of classes and work in government offices during heavy rainfall. 

Belmonte, in a memorandum circular, said work and class suspensions would be based on the pre-disaster risk assessment conducted by the city’s disaster risk reduction and management council. 

She said the council, which will base its assessment on data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, would announce its decision not later than 4 a.m.

In the event of extreme weather changes during the day, Belmonte said the declaration of suspension will be made no later than 11 a.m.

The guidelines will only apply when there is no official storm warning signal, as the latter entails automatic class suspensions as per an existing order by the Department of Education.

Belmonte said the priority for the suspension of classes will be primary, secondary and senior high schools, while classes in the collegiate level and graduate school will be the discretion of the school head.

The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) may also conduct their pre-disaster risk assessment to determine if class and work suspension is necessary for their respective jurisdictions without typhoon signals.

The BDRRMCs and school administrators should report to the local government their decision to cancel or suspend classes in their areas. 

Meanwhile, city operations involved in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescues will proceed regardless of the decision on class or work suspension.

Belmonte said announcements on class and work suspensions will only come from the city’s public affairs and information services department.