Mayor Frederick W. Siao suspended all classes at all levels both in private and public schools effective 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, as Tropical Depression Verbena spawned heavy rains here and in other parts of Lanao del Norte.
Abeliza Manzano, chief of the Lanao del Norte Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said that the entire Lanao del Norte, including this city, had been placed under yellow alert status from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, because of the heavy rainfall, based on the advisory of the state weather bureau Pagasa.
Siao said the suspension of classes would ensure that students, teachers and the people of Iligan would be safe amid the inclement weather.
In Esperanza village, Bacolod town, more than four families were rescued when floodwaters abruptly rose. Later, it was found out that an old drainage canal in the area had been covered after a road widening project, stopping the flow of water, resulting in the flooding.
In Poona Piagapo town of the province, water overflowed from the river, affecting the Cabusaran – Pinid bridge.
Among the coastal towns of Lanao del Norte that also declared suspension of classes are Linamon, Kauswagan, Bacolod, Maigo Kolambugan, Tubod, Baroy and Lala.
Mazano urged all municipal disaster risk reduction officers in the province to closely monitor and report the situation in their respective areas for quick response in times of emergency.
Armien Alloro, chief of of the Iligan City Risk Reduction Management Council (ICDRRM) Office, also directed all barangay DRRMOs to monitor the situation of 44 barangays, particularly the flood prone areas, possible landslides and rapid rise of floodwaters in rivers.