Marcos to study DILG Sec. Remulla's request for authority to declare class suspensions

Marcos to study DILG Sec. Remulla's request for authority to declare class suspensions

Malacañang on Thursday said it would study the call of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to give him authority to announce class suspensions whenever there are tropical cyclones. 

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. has "no official response yet" on the matter.

''Sa ngayon po ay wala pa pong opisyal na sagot ang ating Pangulo patungkol sa suggestion po ni Secretary Jonvic Remulla. At ito po ay pag-aaralan dahil kung ito naman po ay makakabuti sa mas nakakarami, pag-aaralan po ito at magbibigay ng maaaring tugon ang Pangulo patungkol,'' Castro said.

(As of now, our President has not yet given an official response regarding Secretary Jonvic Remulla's suggestion, and this will be studied because if it will benefit the majority, the President will study it and give a possible response regarding it.)

A former governor of Cavite, Remulla said his experience in local governance would make him an effective decision-maker this rainy season.

Meanwhile, Castro said the President already directed the cleaning of drainage amid the rainy season to prevent flooding, particularly in Metro Manila. 

''Ipinag-utos na po ng Pangulo na agaran po ang paglilinis ng mga drainage dahil ito po ay makakatulong po na maiwasan ang mabilis na pagbaha lalung-lalo na po dito sa Metro Manila,'' she said. 

(The President has ordered the immediate cleaning of drainages because this will help prevent flash floods, especially here in Metro Manila.)

She also mentioned that the Department of the Interior and Local Government has directed the strengthening of disaster preparedness measures and activation of emergency operation centers amid the rainy season.

Classes were suspended and commuters were stranded in multiple areas due to the heavy rainfall on Thursday in Metro Manila and some provinces.

State weather bureau PAGASA has said that heavier rains are expected in different parts of Luzon up to Sunday due to the effects of a low pressure area (LPA) and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. —VAL, GMA Integrated News