With the onset of the rainy season, Senator Bam Aquino calls on local government units (LGUs) to declare cancellation of classes early to ensure safety of students.

“Safety of students must not be compromised so the announcement of cancellation of classes should be made early when there is a typhoon or heavy rains,” said Aquino, chairman of the Committee on Youth.

 “There are cases where students are already in schools when the announcement was made, leaving them stranded for hours. When the rain stops, they have to wade through floods on their way home,” the senator added.

Aquino reminded LGUs that they now have the duty to suspend classes or work during storms and heavy rains, ender Sec. 2 of Executive Order 66 issued in 2012.

“Under the said EO, announcements will be made not later than 4:30 a.m. of the day of the intended cancellation of classes and work or not later than 11:00 a.m. for suspension of work and classes in the afternoon,” the senator emphasized.

The announcement may be coursed through diverse mass media, particularly radio and television, landline communications and other technologies for communication within the community or locality.

 Also, Aquino called on LGUs to cover open manholes and remove other road hazards such as protruding steel bars or other sharp objects so accidents will be avoided during floods and heavy rains.

“We must leave no stone unturned in ensuring the safety of our roads to avoid future accidents, especially to our students,” he stressed.