ANGELES CITY – It was all too obvious: Non-stop torrential rains have affected not only this city but the entire region as well.
As a result, Central Luzon classes were suspended beginning Monday, as well as on Tuesday and Wednesday and some areas until Thursday.
But not in this city. Classes were suspended only in the afternoon of Wednesday to the consternation of students and their parents.
In an advisory Wednesday morning, acting mayor Vice Mayor Brian Matthew Nepomuceno, said “considering the 4 a.m. forecast of PAGASA that there will only be light to moderate rain showers in Angeles City and the advice of our Disaster Risk Reduction Monitoring Team that there are no threats of flooding, classes in all levels have not been suspended.”
Nepomuceno even advised students to “please be advised to still bring umbrellas and rain coats to stay dry.”
“It’s like rubbing salt to the injury,” said the parent of an elementary student.
As early as 4 a.m. on Wednesday, heavy rains blanketed this city flooding major thoroughfares to at least gutter deep level.
Some parents said their children refused to stay home so they won’t be marked absent in class.
Nepomuceno’s social media post went viral with some even posting their pictures wading in the floods.
Central Luzon classes and government work were suspended.
But the acting mayor was adamant even if most schools and universities in the city cancelled their classes including Angeles University Foundation, Holy Angel University and Holy Family Academy.
Nepomuceno said he has been monitoring the situation all through the night and his decision was based on the PAGASA and the Disaster Risk Reduction Monitoring (DRRM) Team.
“…I have been monitoring the situation all through the night and this (Wednesday) morning. I was at the command center this early morning, I consulted with the DRRM Office. I am currently going around the city checking all areas. My decision is based on both advisories and actual observations,” he said.
Nepomuceno said, “Leadership includes making tough calls and decisions. Calling off classes is one of them. A lesser man would give in to the pressure of others, but not me.”
Nepomuceno finally called off classes at around noon time on Wednesday again citing the PAGASA advisory.
“As of the 11 a.m. weather advisory issued by DOST-PAGASA, Tropical Depression Inday has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is expected to further intensify the monsoon rains which will bring heavy rains in the late afternoon today. In view of this latest development and based on the recommendation of the Angeles City Risk Reduction and Management Office, the local government of Angeles City hereby orders the suspension of the afternoon sessions of classes in all levels, both public and private.”
Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan is on official trip in Taiwan.
