16 Iloilo LGUs suspend classes as habagat rains intensify across Panay

ILOILO CITY — Face-to-face classes were suspended in more municipalities across Iloilo on Friday, July 24, as persistent heavy rains from the southwest monsoon (Habagat) continued to trigger widespread flooding concerns and prompt heightened weather warnings across Panay.

As of 6:10 a.m., local chief executives ordered the suspension of in-person classes in 16 municipalities.

Classes from preschool to senior high school were suspended in Miagao, while all levels, including college where applicable, were covered in Leon, New Lucena, Guimbal, Oton, Tigbauan, Banate, Maasin, Dumangas, Janiuay, Igbaras, Zarraga, Cabatuan, Mina, San Joaquin, and Lambunao.

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The local suspensions came on top of the automatic class suspensions that took effect under Department of Education Order No. 22, s. 2024, following PAG-ASA’s 5 a.m. rainfall forecast.

Kindergarten classes were automatically suspended in Concepcion and Ajuy, which were placed under a Yellow Rainfall Warning. Kindergarten to Grade 12 classes were automatically suspended in Barotac Nuevo, Anilao, Banate, Barotac Viejo, Pototan, Maasin, Cabatuan and New Lucena after these areas were placed under an orange rainfall warning.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau’s red rainfall warning automatically suspended classes from kindergarten to senior high school in San Joaquin, Miagao, Igbaras, Guimbal, Tigbauan, Tubungan, Leon, Alimodian, San Miguel, Leganes, Zarraga, Dumangas, Pavia, Santa Barbara and Oton, where serious flooding and rain-induced landslides were possible due to continuous heavy rainfall.

Several municipalities, including Miagao, Leon, Guimbal, Oton, Tigbauan, Banate, Maasin, Dumangas, Igbaras, Zarraga, Cabatuan and San Joaquin, were covered by both the automatic suspension policy and separate executive orders issued by their local governments, resulting in broader class suspensions in those areas.

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The latest cancellations followed the state weather bureau’s issuance earlier Friday of red and orange rainfall warnings covering large portions of Iloilo, Guimaras, Antique and Negros Occidental.

Authorities have already reported flooding in several communities, rescue operations for families stranded by rising floodwaters in Hamtic, Antique, and the temporary closure of flooded road sections, including the Calala national highway.

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With the southwest monsoon expected to continue bringing moderate to intense rains, disaster officials urged residents to remain vigilant, monitor official weather advisories, and follow evacuation and safety instructions, particularly in flood-prone and landslide-prone communities. INQ /mr