Face-to-face classes in all levels, in both public and private schools here, were suspended on Monday amidst dark skies and steady morning rains as the northeast monsoon (amihan) and shearline strengthened over Northern Mindanao, and amid Tropical Depression Verbena.
Mayor Amie Galario ordered the suspension of classes upon the recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) as a precautionary measure against threats of landslides and flash floods in the area.
Many students were already on their way to school when the announcement was made.
Traffic slowed past 7 a.m. near the gates of the densely populated Valencia City Central School and Valencia City National High School, where students alight from motorized tricycles and other vehicles caught in the morning rush.
Valencia City was the first locality in Bukidnon province to suspend classes due to heightened weather risks brought by Tropical Depression Verbena.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported that the northeast monsoon (amihan) and shearline had strengthened over Northern Mindanao. At the same time, a former low-pressure area east of Mindanao had developed into a tropical depression, CDRRMO chief June Valero said.
These combined systems brought persistent light to moderate rainfall across Bukidnon.
Valencia City has been placed under blue alert status, with all 31 barangays conducting round-the-clock monitoring of weather conditions linked to TD Verbena.
The city government said attendance and reporting arrangements for teaching and non-teaching personnel will be left to the discretion of individual school heads