BAGUIO CITY – The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) called on parents and guardians to make sure that the rain gear of their children will be ready in time for the opening of classes last June 3, 2019 to prevent them from contracting rainy day illnesses that will compromise their health condition and their performance in their studies.
LDRRM Officer II Louie Glenn Lardizabal pointed out that because of the daily afternoon rains that is being experienced in the city over the past two weeks, it is best for parents and guardians to ensure that their children will bring with them their basic rain gadgets when they start attending their classes so that they will not suffer the consequences of having to wait for some time in their schools just for them to be provided with umbrellas, raincoats among other rain gadgets and for them to be able to go home right after their scheduled classes.
He explained that despite the absence of a formal declaration from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that it is already rainy season in the city, it is important for parents to include the purchase of rain gears for their children in their checklists as part of their preparations for the school opening to avoid rushing when school starts.
“We hope that parents and guardians are prepared with their children’s rain gears so their children can immediately go home after their classes instead of having to wait for the rain to stop to go to the parking areas of the jeepneys that will bring them home,” Lardizabal stressed.
Currently, the LDRRMO is conducting a series of training among members of the barangay risk reduction and management councils and employees of the city government and emergency responders on disaster preparedness to ensure the readiness of concerned stakeholders when natural and man-made disasters strike in the city.
Lardizabal also advised parents and guardians to get in touch with school administrators of their children to be informed on the possible suspension of classes during rains without the necessary typhoon signal as they, and not only the local chief executive, are empowered to suspend classes in cases of bad weather conditions.
He asserted that the role of the LDRRMO is to make the necessary recommendations based on the prevailing situation to guide decision-makers on whether or not there is a need to declare suspension of classes during bad weather conditions in the city.
By Dexter A. See
Banner photo by: Armando M. Bolislis
