Belmonte issues guidelines on QC class, work suspension

      Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (Photo by QC PAISD)

QUEZON CITY, Aug. 1 (PIA)--Mayor Joy Belmonte released the guidelines in suspending classes in schools and canceling of work in government offices in Quezon City.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 1 Series of 2019, members of the QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council will conduct a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) in anticipation of typhoons.   The council’s decisions during the PDRA will depend on the latest weather updates and advisories of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The assessment and evaluation in the PDRA will be the basis of the City Mayor to issue class suspension and work in government offices.

The QCDRRM Council shall announce its decision not later than 4:00 AM on the day of the intended cancellation. In the event of extreme weather changes during the day, the declaration of suspension will be made no later than 11:00 AM.

Automatic suspension of classes shall apply pursuant to DepEd Order No. 43-2012:  When Signal No. 1 is raised by PAGASA, public and private preschool and kindergarten classes in the affected areas shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

When Signal No. 2 is raised by PAGASA, public and private preschool, kindergarten, elementary and secondary classes in the affected areas shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

When Signal No. 3 is raised by PAGASA, work in all DepEd offices in the affected areas shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

Depending on signal numbers declared at 10:00 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. of the following day, classes in appropriate levels for the whole day are deemed automatically cancelled/suspended.

Belmonte stressed that she will prioritize the suspension of classes in primary, secondary, and senior high schools, while classes in the collegiate level and graduate school will be the discretion of the school head.

The Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (BDRRMC) can also conduct their PDRA with PAGASA and QCDRRMC to determine if class and work suspension is necessary for their respective jurisdictions without typhoon signals.

The BDRRMCs and school administrators should report to QCDRRMC their decision to cancel or suspend classes in their areas, which should be backed by their PDRA.

Meanwhile, city operations involved in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescues will proceed regardless of the decision on class or work suspension.

Belmonte said announcements on class and work suspensions will only come from the QC Public Affairs and Information Services Department (PAISD).

“Announcement will come from QCDRRMC and PAISD is the only authority that can put out that news,” Belmonte said. (PIA InfoComm/QC PAISD)