Work, classes suspended in La Trinidad due to Pepito

La Trinidad Mayor Romeo Salda has suspended work and classes, both public and private, in the city on Wednesday, October 21 due to tropical storm Pepito.

Salda's order appears to be the first suspending classes due to inclement weather despite the absence of face-to-face sessions under the blended learning system of the Department of Education as a means to control the spread of COVID-19.

Public schools started classes in early October.

As Benguet is among the 15 areas under Signal No. 2, Salda said that the “expected strong rains and winds pose a significant threat” to the community.

“In order to ensure the safety and security of community members and to allow all households, schools, and establishments to sufficiently prepare, there arises the need to suspend work and classes,” he said in an executive order.

Pepito was forecast to bring moderate to heavy rains over Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Camarines Norte, Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Isabela, mainland Cagayan, La Union, Pangasinan, and Benguet from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning.

Its center was seen 70 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora at 7 p.m. with maximum sustained winds of 75 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph. -NB, GMA News