Solon wants timely, evidence-based suspension of work and classes

A party-list lawmaker on Thursday filed a bill which seeks a timely, evidence-based and people-centric suspension and cancellation of classes and work.

In his House Bill 6072, 1-Ang Edukasyon party-list Rep. Salvador Belaro Jr. aims to make the suspension of work and classes to be timely and accurate, and not merely based on public storm warning.

"Widespread confusion, chaos, and disruption of peoples’ lives have frequently resulted from the lack of a rational system governing suspension or cancellation of classes and work," Belaro said in the explanatory note of his bill.

"This bill factors in not just storms, but also floods, landslides, earthquakes, tsunami, storm surge, toxic chemical spills, fire, active shooter situations, hostage-taking, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and state of emergency," he added.

Under the bill, classes at early childhood, preschool, kindergarten and elementary grade levels will be immediately and automatically suspended upon announcement of a competent official or when Public Storm Signal No. 1 is declared over the area.

Classes in this level will also be suspended when there is gutter-level flooding in the streets, Intensity IV earthquake, toxic chemical spill within the school premises and fourth alarm fire within the one hundred meter radius.

Meanwhile, classes at junior and senior high school, technical training institutions and undergraduate college levels will be suspended when Public Storm Signal No. 2, above gutter-level street flooding, heavy rainfall or thunderstorm advisory, announcement of second alarm or prepare to evacuate water level, Intensity V earthquake, tsunami alert, toxic chemical spill and fifth alarm fire.

Graduate level of higher education and office work, on the other hand, will be immediately suspended when Public Storm Signal No. 3 is announced, widespread flooding and landslides rendering streets impassable, intense rainfall, second alarm of prepare to evacuate water level, toxic chemical spill, Intensity VI earthquake, and Task Force Alpha fire.

"Classes and work may also be suspended or canceled because of widespread loss of electric power distribution, water supply distribution, or non-functioning of sewerage systems and widespread collapse or offline status of several banking or financial systems that disrupt the normal functioning or cause serious financial incapacity or disruption of households, communities, institutions, and workplaces," Belaro said.

"Implementing rules and regulations will be crafted and promulgated by an inter-agency and multi-sectoral committee," he added.

On Thursday, classes and work around Metro Manila and other nearby areas were suspended due to the monsoon rains enhanced by Tropical Storm Gorio. —KG, GMA News