QC gov't says school heads, barangay captains may now suspend classes

School heads and barangay chairpersons in Quezon City have been given the authority to suspend classes and work in government offices during inclement weather, according to a memorandum issued by Mayor Joy Belmonte.

In a Facebook post by the QC Public Affairs Department Wednesday night, August 14, it said that "school heads and barangay chairpersons in Quezon City may suspend classes in their respective jurisdiction if they believe that public safety will be compromised during inclement weather."

The general guidelines on localized cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices are contained in Memorandum Circular No. 1 issued by Belmonte on July 19.

The new guidelines were discussed with representatives of Quezon City’s School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (SDRRMC) who attended an orientation on localized class or work suspensions.

During the meeting, the representatives were reminded that school heads may cancel or suspend classes "in cases where urgent action is needed to prevent loss of life or bodily harm," as per DepEd Order No. 43 series of 2012 Section 2-B.

"The barangays, through their chairpersons, may declare suspensions," QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Mike Marasigan was quoted as saying in the post.

The memo order the barangays and schools to immediately report their decision to suspend classes to the QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Under the guidelines, city-wide class suspensions will be announced by 4:30 in the morning and no later than 11:00 am for afternoon classes.

Just last week, classes have been suspended for two days due to the typhoon and monsoon rains that often cause flooding in several areas in the city.  —LDF, GMA News