Classes in Baguio, Benguet suspended

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Classes in all levels in Baguio and nearby Benguet province were suspended early Wednesday.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, who was earlier criticized for not following Malacañang’s pre-emptive declarations, suspended classes in elementary up to college levels in the city amid heavy downpour since Tuesday.

Government weathermen said there is no typhoon signal in Baguio City and the rest of the six Cordillera provinces as Nando is over a hundred kilometers away from Itbayat in Batanes as of Wednesday morning.

Benguet Governor Nestor Fongwan also suspended all classes in all levels in Benguet as a pro-active measure to prevent any disaster with the harsh weather.

But work in government offices in Baguio and Benguet went on while disaster teams and councils are on blue alert.

Office of the Civil Defense- Cordillera Administrative Region officer-in-charge Alex Uy said landslides are being experienced in most road systems in the Cordillera. Major routes to Baguio City are open while people were warned against traveling along Kennon Road because of rock and landslides.

A huge landslide, speficially at the Gurel section in Bokod town at the Baguio-Nueva Vizcaya road, has practically closed the route as of now. Public works personnel and private contractors have joined hands to clear the route.