DAVAO CITY (MindaNews 1 February) – Classes in all levels in Davao City will be suspended on Friday—third day in a row since Wednesday—due to heavy rains brought by the trough of the low pressure area.
Children wade through a flooded street at Juliville Subvision in Barangay Tigatto, Davao City on Thursday (1 February 2024). MindaNews photo
The city government here posted on its Facebook page at 7:34 p.m. Thursday Proclamation No. 6, Series of 2024, declaring the suspension of classes in all levels in public and private schools and the adoption of a work-from-home arrangement in government offices in Davao City on February 2. The proclamation was signed by Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
Proclamations No. 4 and 5, issued earlier, say likewise, suspending classes and encouraging work-from-home arrangement for government offices on January 31 and February 1, respectively.
The proclamations were released as several areas in Davao City have experienced flooding and landslides, and alert levels on the rising water level in rivers sometimes labeled as “beyond code red” by the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, leading to the evacuation of residents.
The low pressure area flooded 29 barangays—11 from the 1st District, 9 in 2nd District, and 10 in 3rd District.
Proclamation No. 6 said “the trough of the LPA has been causing moderate to heavy rainfall in Davao City for the past few days, with the water level in the Davao River and some of its tributaries having reached critical levels.”
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued Heavy Rainfall Warning 28, indicating light to moderate rains (2.5-5.5 liters per cubic meter per hour) in Mindanao, including Davao City.
As of 7:00 p.m. Thursday, only the Talomo River in Barangay Tugbok Proper has been monitored at yellow level or an alert level, with the rest of the rivers monitored at a safe level.
Meanwhile, the Davao City Police Office reported that 1,902 families or 6,749 individuals are currently at evacuation centers as of 9 a.m. Thursday.
The LGU urges precautionary measures and the proclamation encourages private offices and establishments to suspend work or adopt work-from-home arrangements for the safety and convenience of their employees. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)
