Manila: Malaca±ang will study the request of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla to be granted authority to suspend classes during typhoons. Remulla earlier said he would ask President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for such authority, citing his experience as a long-time governor of Cavite and the need for timely announcements during tropical cyclones.
According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, in a press briefing Thursday, said there is no official response to Remulla's proposal yet. Castro stated, 'Sa ngayon ay wala pang opisyal na sagot patungkol sa suggestion ni Secretary Jonvic Remulla. Ito po ay pag-aaralan kung ito naman ay mas makakabuti sa nakararami (As of now, there is no official response yet to Secretary Jonvic Remulla's suggestion. This will be studied if it will truly benefit the majority).'
She clarified that the current system of localized decision-making remains in place. 'Kung ano yung sistema natin sa kasalukuyan, kung saan ang liderato ng mga LGU (local government units) na siyang nagbibigay ng kanilang utos o order kung merong suspensyon ng mga klase, 'yun po muna ang mananatili (Our current system where local leaderships decide on the suspension of classes in their jurisdictions will remain in effect for now),' she added.
Currently, local chief executives can declare class suspensions in their localities. For broader or regional suspensions, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) typically makes a recommendation to the Palace. The Philippines' peak typhoon season is from July to October, with an average of 20 tropical cyclones hitting the country annually.
Castro said Marcos has directed national agencies and local governments to step up preparations in anticipation of the typhoon season. Among the ongoing efforts is the cleanup of priority waterways, with 23 esteros in Metro Manila already identified. Beneficiaries of the Department of Labor and Employment's TUPAD program will assist in the clearing operations, Castro said.
The President also ordered the activation of local disaster risk reduction and management offices (DRRMOs), emergency operations centers, and evacuation preparedness activities, including community drills and exercises.
