Ten municipalities in vegetable-growing Benguet province suspended face-to-face classes on Tuesday as persistent monsoon rains that have battered the province through most of August continued to raise concerns over flooding, landslides and unsafe roads.
The farming town of Atok suspended classes from preschool to senior high school in both public and private schools. At the same time, Kibungan town extended its suspension from daycare to senior high school until Aug. 28.
Other municipalities announced suspensions covering various grade levels, including Bakun, Bokod, Buguias, Kabayan, Kapangan, La Trinidad, Mankayan, Sablan and Tuba.
Local officials cited the continuing southwest monsoon and forecasts of heavy rain as reasons for the suspensions.
In La Trinidad, Mayor Roderick Awingan said face-to-face classes from preschool to elementary in both public and private schools were suspended based on the 5 a.m. weather forecast from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and recommendations from the Department of Education and the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office.
Atok officials also cited the risk of heavy rainfall, strong winds, flooding, landslides, and unsafe road conditions in extending the suspension.
Schools were directed to continue using alternative learning protocol in line with Department of Education guidelines to ensure continuity of instruction.
As of 5:50 a.m. Tuesday, suspensions covered daycare to kindergarten in Bakun and Mankayan; preschool to elementary in Bokod, Buguias, Kapangan and Sablan; preschool to senior high school in Tuba; and preschool to elementary in Kabayan, in addition to the Adaoay National High School, Abucot Integrated School, Ballay Integrated School, Kabayan Central Integrated School and Kamora National High School