Class Suspensions Declared Across Philippines Due to Tropical Storm Kiyapo and Habagat

Several local government units across the Philippines have suspended classes on Friday, July 24, due to the inclement weather brought by Tropical Storm Kiyapo (international name: Noul) and the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat), which continues to affect parts of the country. As of 5 a.m. Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Kiyapo had intensified into a tropical storm and was moving closer to Extreme Northern Luzon. Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon continued to bring rains to several areas. In response to the adverse weather conditions, the Department of Education (DepEd) has advised local government units to prioritize the safety of students and implement class suspensions when necessary. The decision to suspend classes is made by local chief executives based on their respective areas' damage assessments and weather forecasts. Class suspensions were announced in various regions, including the Cordillera Administrative Region, Region I, Region IV-A, Region V, Region VI (Western Visayas), Negros Island Region, Region IX, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Region XII. Class suspensions due to tropical cyclones and monsoons are a recurring event in the Philippines during the typhoon season. This is often linked to the country's infrastructure vulnerabilities and the underdevelopment of public transportation in many areas. Low-lying and coastal regions are particularly susceptible to flooding and landslides during heavy rains, making the safety of students' commute a pressing concern. The current class suspensions highlight the broader challenges in the Philippines' social infrastructure. Source: Philstar Nation