Bohol classes suspended due to inclement weather

TAGBILARAN CITY- Bohol acting Governor Dionisio Victor Balite has suspended work and classes in the province on Friday due to due to inclement weather.

He added that classes in all levels in public and private schools and work in all government offices in the province will be suspended.

"In the wake of weather disturbance that has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) heightened by the Northeast Monsoon and Shear Line and with the yellow heavy rainfall warnings from PAGASA ," Balite said in his Memorandum Circular.

Private establishments are given the discretion to declare suspension of work for their employees.

Meanwhile, exempted from the work suspension were offices involved in public safety, disaster risk reduction and health and services.

Moreover, he ordered that classes for colleges and universities will also be suspended on Saturday, November 18, 2023 as the state weather bureau PAGASA foresees intensification of rainfall towards the weekend.

"The suspension of classes and work in government offices is a preventive step for all Boholanos, primarily to ensure their safety and for them to be with their respective families in this hydrometeorological hazard," he said.

He advised residents especially those living in low-lying and coastal areas to take extra precaution against the threat of flooding and/or landslides.

Balite also directed the municipal mayors with their respective municipal disaster risk reduction and management councils (MDRRMCs) to conduct unrelenting monitoring of the status of their respective area of responbilities.

At least 23 towns including Tagbilaran City suspended all classes on Thursday afternoon due to the bad weather. Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap said it was to ensure the safety of the students.

Anthony Damalerio, provincial disaster risk reduction and management officer, said his office is on blue alert status. Pagasa said the continuous heavy rains brought by the shear line and the north east monsoon or “amihan.” A weather disturbance is expected to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday. — BAP, GMA Integrated News