Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla Acknowledges Late Announcement
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla openly admitted that he was too late in announcing the suspension of classes and government work across Metro Manila and 16 other provinces on Monday, September 1. This delay sparked concerns as the announcement was made only on the morning of the affected day.
“The model prediction, as of 11 p.m. (on Sunday), only had the weather system affecting the Bicol-Visayas region. The weather model was amended much later, affecting Southern until Central Luzon,” Remulla explained in a message to officials. He clarified that the updated forecast only came in at 3 a.m. on Monday.
Explanation Behind the Delay
Secretary Remulla revealed that he read the updated weather notice only after waking up at 6 a.m. that day. “It was my fault. I should have woken up at 5 a.m. to make the earlier announcement,” he admitted. “I read it too late.” This reflection highlights the challenges in responding swiftly to rapidly changing weather forecasts.
DILG’s Role in Suspension Announcements
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) holds the authority to declare suspensions of classes and government work, a power granted last July. On Monday morning, the DILG officially announced the suspension of classes and government operations in the National Capital Region and 16 provinces due to inclement weather.
Plans to Improve Announcement Timeliness
Following the fourth State of the Nation Address, Secretary Remulla shared the department’s goal to improve the timing of suspension announcements. He stated that the DILG aims to release such declarations by 4 p.m. on the day prior to the suspension, at the latest. This initiative seeks to provide ample time for citizens and officials to prepare accordingly.
Community Impact and Response
Local leaders and community members welcomed the suspension of classes and government work, prioritizing safety amid severe weather conditions. However, the delay in the announcement prompted calls for more proactive communication in future weather-related disruptions.
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