ILOILO CITY - Local officials in Iloilo City have suspended school classes across all levels due to severe weather conditions affecting the area.

According to Philippines News Agency, the decision was made following advice from the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). They forecasted persistent light to moderate rains with intermittent heavy showers over the next two to three days, leading to a preemptive suspension to ensure student safety. The EOC highlighted a record 45-millimeter rainfall at Central Philippine University as of late Monday evening, which has already resulted in flooding across several areas in the Jaro district.

During a press conference, Mayor Treñas issued an apology for the late advisory on class suspensions, which came after students had already arrived at schools. The announcement was delayed until nearly 8 a.m. on Tuesday. He also directed Donna Magno, head of the CDRRMO, to expedite future recommendations on class suspensions, prioritizing safety even if it involves unverified preliminary data. “Better to err on the side of caution than to risk the safety of our students,” Treñas stated.