Delayed suspensions raise the question: Is there a need to review the LGUs' guidelines?
The timing of class and work suspensions has once again come under scrutiny as heavy rains from the ongoing habagat left some students, parents, and workers caught in flooding and difficult commutes.
Heavy rains triggered widespread flooding, traffic jams, and left commuters stranded across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, according to social media reports. Many were angered at the different local government units, noting that Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration had already warned about the southwest monsoon affecting Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon.
On Friday, Aug. 14, the weather bureau reported that the southwest monsoon will strengthen once more and continue to affect Luzon and Visayas in the third week of August.
"Sa mga nagtatanong, meron po ba tayong bagong sama ng panahon next week? Base po sa ating tropical cyclone threat potential forecast, maaaring may panibago pong mamuo na low pressure area dito sa may north eastern portion ng ating Philippine Area of Responsibility, at maaaring nga po itong kumilos pakanluran at pumasok sa ating Area of Responsibility," weather specialist Leanne Loreto said.
"Inaasan po natin yan between Sunday and early parts of next week. At itong nga pong potential na low pressure area ay maaaring hatakin at palakasin muli ang habagat simula Sunday onwards," she added.
Late suspensions
Despite the early warning, some suspension announcements were still made only after students and workers had already started their day, leaving some to deal with heavy rain, flooded roads, and difficult commutes.
For instance, the Manila government only ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes on the day itself at 10:39 a.m., effective 12 p.m.
San Juan City mayor Francis Zamora similarly announced the suspension of afternoon classes on Aug. 17. He reasoned that "there were no rainfall warnings issued by DOST-PAGASA last night and early this morning," which was why "there was no suspension of classes this morning."
Upon scrolling the page of the PAGASA-National Capital Region division, it can be found that the agency issued a yellow warning level to Metro Manila, Cavite, Zambales, Rizal, Batangas, and Bataan at 8:00 a.m. earlier this day. No warning was issued yesterday, Aug. 16.
Several social media users subsequently criticized the lack of timely announcements online.
"Class suspended again and announcing it while my daughter is at school na. It’s kind of frustrating lalo if we have multiple kids and other work din at kami lang ang pwede magsundo at maghatid. Baka naman pwedeng i-announce nila the day before," content creator Cham Estrera-Magsaysay said on Threads.
Another similarly lamented the difficulty caused by suspending classes midday.
"Not all parents can leave work ng biglaan. Circumstances are so different now and many parents are juggling work and childcare. I just wish there were a more efficient approach from the mayor and his team. Wondering why it takes so long for our mayor to decide," another user said.
Meanwhile, a Threads user questioned whether the current system could be adapted to account for weather conditions that are difficult to predict through storm signals alone.
"'Di ba naka-survive tayo sa pagkakaroon ng class sessions via Zoom during the pandemic? Can it be applied na online modality kapag ang forecast sa weather ay maulan? Kawawa mga bata, pati mga magulang and guardians," they suggested.
Where does the government base the suspensions?
In times of inclement weather, PAGASA plays an important role in determining whether or not classes or office work are suspended.
Under DepEd Order No. 37, s. 2022, in-person, online classes, and work from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System are automatically cancelled in schools situated in LGUs issued with Orange and Red Rainfall Warning by the PAGASA.
"If the Warning is issued at a time when classes have already begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so. However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school if travelling has become unsafe," the order states.
In case of Yellow Rainfall Warnings, it is up to local chief executives to decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes if their LGU is issued one by PAGASA.
They also have the discretion to suspend classes if there are torrential rains in specific areas or throughout the LGU, even if PAGASA has not issued an alert.
For government offices, the President can issue a Memorandum Circular suspending work. These orders are typically issued based on recommendations from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and weather information from PAGASA.
According to DOLE Labor Advisory No. 17, Series of 2022, employers in the private sector may suspend work to ensure the safety and health of their employees during weather disturbances and similar occurrences.
However, this is based on their management prerogative, in coordination with their safety and health committee, or safety officer, or any other responsible company officer.
BA Racoma, an instructor in the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, argued that the rainfall warning system shouldn't be the basis for suspending classes.
"The Rainfall Warning System by design measures conditions in the past hours, and then checks if it will persist in the next three hours. Parang sinasabi lang na 'malakas na ang ulan ngayon, at tutuloy pa hanggang mamaya.' Kung iyon ang sole basis para sa suspensyon, huli na ang lahat. Kasi umuulan na nga 'di ba?" Racoma explained.
To find a way forward, he suggested that "longer term advisories" should be issued.
"Yellow/Orange/Red level for the next three days. These might have lower confidence (because they are based on models after all), but these are longer term and give us an idea of what may happen in the next few days," he said.
"Mayroon pang next level na Impact-Based Forecasting and warning system which includes two levels: the likelihood (low, medium, high) and the severity (minor, significant, severe). If you're looking into considering suspending in the next few days, I think this is what one should be looking at," Racoma added.
Too much rain in five hours
According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Monday's flooding across Metro Manila was triggered by an overwhelming volume of rain falling in a short period.
Based on data from the Science Garden Station at the DOST-PAGASA Compound in Quezon City, rainfall reached 201.7 millimeters in just five hours, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Between noon and 2 p.m. alone, 138 mm of rain was recorded.
"Kaya naman mabilis na tumaas ang tubig at nagdulot ng baha sa iba't ibang lansangan sa Metro Manila," the agency said.
For comparison, Typhoon Ondoy brought 455 mm of rainfall within 24 hours on Sept. 26, 2009, causing widespread and severe flooding in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
The MMDA said that they immediately responded to assist affected motorists and residents. Its Flood Control team was also deployed to flooded areas to clear blockages from drainage systems and help the floodwaters recede more quickly.
They assured that they are continuing to monitor conditions along major roads in Metro Manila.
The Philippines has been battered by incessant rains since the start of the August. Tropical cyclone Luis and tropical storm Maymay previously affected the country before weakening into low-pressure areas.