MANILA — The Metro Manila Council (MMC) and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said there is room for improvement in how class suspensions are announced, especially during typhoon season.

The Metro Manila Council includes the mayors of the 16 cities and lone municipality in the National Capital Region and is the policy-making body of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Local Government Units (LGUs) have the authority to declare class suspensions if needed, based on PAGASA forecasts.

Under Department of Education rules, school heads may also decide to suspend classes or shift to alternative learning modes in case of calamities, power outages and similar situations.

Zamora said he finds the current system complicated since LGUs have to base decisions on PAGASA forecasts and on local conditions.

“[T]andaan po natin, iba-iba po ang sitwasyon dito sa Metro Manila, depende na po yan sa judgment at discernment ng mga mayors po natin base po sa local terrain nila,” Zamora explained. 

(Remember, situations vary across Metro Manila. So that depends on the judgment and discernment of the mayors, based on their local terrain)

'ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION'

In San Juan City, Zamora said, his personal policy is to err on the side of caution.

“I would rather be conservative and suspend rather than biglang alam mo na nga na may posibilidad na may malakas na ulan at pagbabaha tapos hindi ka nag-suspend. kung kailan delikado na tsaka ka lang magde-desisyon,” Zamora explained. 

(I'd rather be conservative and suspend rather than decide to continue with classes and suspend it at a time wheN it's dangerous to be outside) 

On Tuesday, most LGUs in Metro Manila announced the suspension of classes due to tropical cyclone Gener.

Based on PAGASA Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 8 issued at 5 a.m., Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted in different provinces in the country and in the northern portion of Metro Manila.

PAGASA: WE GIVE FORECASTS, RECOMMENDATIONS

PAGASA weather specialist Aldczar Aurelio told ABS-CBN News that the state weather bureau's role is just to relay the latest forecast and the likely weather conditions in a particular area.

“Ang role ng PAGASA — kami ang nagbibigay ng rekomendasyon, ano nakikita namin patungkol update lalo na sa binabantayang bagyo. Kung anong mga lugar na inaasahan ang malalakas na pag-ulan,” Aurelio said.

(PAGASA's role is to give recommendations and what we can expect from a storm we are monitoring. Which places can expect heavy rain.)

He said PAGASA issued a weather bulletin as early as 5 a.m. on Tuesday.