BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – A heat wave forecast over the next two days in this highly-urbanized capital of more than half a million people has led Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez to declare the suspension of classes in public and private elementary and secondary schools.
He left the decision to suspend classes to school administrators, however, at the college level and urged those in elementary and high school to adopt alternative methods of instruction.
Benitez said in his Facebook account that his decision was in response to the forecast of State weather bureau PAGASA showing high heat indexes today, 11 March, and tomorrow, 12 March.
The link to the chief executive’s post was sent by the Bacolod Information Office reporters last night.
This is the first suspension of classes in recent years due to a heat wave.
Class suspensions here are usually done due to heavy rains.
The soaring heat comes as the El Niño weather phenomenon reaches its peak leading Capitol tp declare a drought in the 32 towns and cities of this largely agricultural province of more than 2.5 million people.
