Albay braces for heavy rains

…authorities suspend classes in preschool, elementary and secondary while early dismissal for tertiary level

Wednesday 15th of February 2012

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) -- Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) on Wednesday suspended classes in the preschool, elementary, and high school levels in the province, as disaster authorities are bracing up for heavy rains spawned by an active Low Pressure Area (LPA) spotted in the Mindanao region.

Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said the suspension of classes is a standard public safety and disaster avoidance measure to secure a zero casualty goal during disaster events.

“Due to the potential negative effects of the thick cloudiness associated with a Low Pressure Area it is estimated that rains with a volume of 10-18mm per hour is expected to affect the province today,” Salceda said.

Upon advice of the Office of Civil Defense-Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (OCD-RDRRMC), classes in preschool, elementary and high schools are suspended until lifted, he said.

Meanwhile, Salceda also ordered around 3:00 p.m. also today the "early dismissal of all classes after 5:00 p.m." universities and colleges in Albay considering possible problems in the main highways in Barangay Cullat, Daraga town going to Camalig and third district areas and in Barangay Padang, this city going home to the first district.

Classes automatically resume tomorrow for college students without need for lifting.

Albay PDRRMC meanwhile will announce before 6:00 a.m. tomorrow whether to resume or not the classes in the preschool, elementary, and high school levels. If no announcement is made, the suspension will remain.

Local disaster council in the 15 towns and three cities were likewise advised to be on high alert and to prepare those in low lying and landslide-prone areas for countermeasures including possible evacuation.

Residents were warned not to cross swelling rivers, and artificial pools of water while those living near mountain slopes were advise to take precautionary measures for possible landslides.

Army trucks and other military mobility assets were requested to be prepositioned in the towns of Libon, Oas, Polangui, and Ligao City, areas which are prone to floods and landslides. (MAL, PIA V/Albay