Mang Tani: Online classes should be suspended due to storm signals

With the country transitioning into a blended learning system amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, GMA’s resident meteorologist Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz said on Saturday that even online classes should be suspended when storm warning signals were raised.

“[P]ag may signal, may bagyo, eh talaga naman po’ng palagay ko dapat isuspende rin kahit online,” Cruz said on Dobol B sa News TV. “Kasi ang inuuna natin ay ang kaligtasan. Hindi normal kapag may bagyo, may signal. Dapat lahat nakahanda, lahat naka I am ready.”

He also stressed that all affected residents, including students, should be prepared for any eventuality when a tropical cyclone strikes.

“Ang pinaka-mahalaga ‘yung mga bata dapat talaga naka I Am Ready sila dahil may bagyong dumaraan, may signal… Malakas na hangin, malakas na ulan, posibleng mag baha, ay hindi puwedeng normal lang din na nag aaral ka,” Cruz explained.

He however added that areas that were not affected by inclement weather may continue their online classes.

“Palagay ko nga case to case basis ‘yan… ‘Yung mga lugar na walang signal, posibleng tuloy-tuloy pero ‘yung mga mismong ma-apektuhan ng bagyo, ‘yun ‘yung posibleng tumigil muna pansamantala,” he said.

The Department of Education earlier announced that President Rodrigo Duterte had approved its recommendation to move the opening of School Year 2020-2021 from August 24 to October 5. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News