Isko Moreno warns UE vs. defying class suspension; UE to comply with gov't declaration

Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso warned the University of the East administration that it will no longer be welcomed in the city if it continues to ignore his future declaration of class suspensions.

In a Facebook video, Isko Moreno said, "Kung hindi rin kayo susunod sa tagubilin ng pamahalaang Lungsod ng Maynila...you are not welcome to the City of Manila. Magsara na po kayo. Shut down your institution."

The mayor announced on Monday for classes in all levels to be canceled in the afternoon due to the heavy monsoon rains enhanced by Tropical Depression Egay.

NEWS ADVISORY: Classes in all levels at all public and private schools are declared suspended starting 12 pm today, July 1, 2019.

Live video blog available via https://t.co/Z2fjz4xzOz#AlertoManileno pic.twitter.com/OS34qMwgHp

— Isko Moreno Domagoso (@IskoMoreno) July 1, 2019

Despite the announcement however, the university only canceled classes until Grade 12.

Moreno said students are not frogmen and should be taken care of just like students in other levels.

According to Moreno, the university has been defying the city government's directives for class cancellations for years.

He then told the administration it is facing a new government now.

"'Wag po kayong masanay kung ano man nakasanayan niyo dati na walang gobyerno ang Lungsod ng Maynila. Masanay na po kayo simula today," Moreno said.

He asked the educational institutions, especially UE, to work in harmony with the government as they are only looking after the safety of the students.

The mayor said, "I hope you've learned your lesson. Never do that again to us...
Mahalaga sa akin ang pag-aaral pero mas mahalaga po sa 'kin ang buhay at ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa."

UE's side

The UE administration, however, clarified that they were simply complying with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 15, Series of 2012 which states that "classes at the collegiate level...may be cancelled or suspended at the discretion of local chief executives of local government units and/or heads of Higher Education Institutions..."

This, along with the forecasts Monday morning of improving weather, helped form the basis of the administration in suspending classes, according to UE's statement.

UE University Relations Officer Bert Sulat said in a phone interview on Wednesday that they have been writing to CHED to seek a clarificatory amendment on the memorandum to avoid further confusion, especially now that the issue has been raised.

Sulat assured, "We will further comply with the suspension declared by the government."

—KG, GMA News