DILG reminds local execs on cancellation of classes, work in gov't offices DILG reminds local execs on cancellation of classes, work in gov't offices By Jerome Carlo R. Paunan, Friday 6th of July 2012 MANILA, July 6 (PIA) -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has reminded local government officials units to declare the cancellation of classes and work in government offices due to weather disturbances not later than 4:30 a.m. for morning suspensions and not later than 11 a.m. for afternoon cancellations. In a statement, DILG Undersecretary for Local Government Austere Panadero said students and government workers "must be informed ahead and not when they are in their schools and offices already when the cancellation of classes will be announced.” "This is to streamline the procedure in the suspension of classes and work in government offices in times of typhoons, floods and other disasters or calamities to spare the pupils, students, government workers and the general public from unnecessary danger," Panadero said. Under Executive Order No. 66, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will issue weather forecasts through various media outlets not later than 10 p.m. of the previous day and 4:30 a.m. of the day of the intended cancellation or suspension of classes and work. Similarly, PAGASA should issue the forecast not later than 11 a.m. of the same day when the suspension of classes and work would be in the afternoon. The following are the guidelines in the cancellation or suspension of classes in public and private schools and work in government offices: Signal No. 1 — Classes at the pre-school level in the affected area shall be automatically cancelled or suspended; Signal No. 2 — Classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels in the affected area shall be automatically cancelled or suspended; Signal No. 3 — Classes at pre-school, elementary, secondary and tertiary levels, in the affected area including graduate school, as well as work in all government offices, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended. Panadero explained that in the absence of typhoon warnings from PAGASA, EO 66 authorizes local chief executives, particularly in flood-prone or high-risk areas, to implement localized cancellation or suspension of classes and government work in coordination with the weather bureau and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). He also said barangay chairmen and officials can recommend through their mayors the cancellation of classes within their area of responsibility. EO 66 also provides that in areas affected by disasters other than typhoons, classes in all levels in both public and private schools and government work will be cancelled or suspended only upon the declaration by the president of a state of calamity on recommendation of the NDRRMC. "The concerned local disaster risk reduction and management council must then be responsible for the announcement of the suspension of classes and government work in the affected areas in coordination with the NDRRMC through various media entities available under the circumstances," said Panadero. (DILG/RJB/JCP/PIA NCR) CABATUAN AIRPORT Cabatuan.com - Timeline 2011 Cabatuan.com Austere Panadero (Bookmark this page for future reference)