The Economy and Development Council (EDC) is expediting its review of existing rules governing class and work suspensions, considering proposals to grant local government units (LGUs) greater authority to issue localized declarations as volatile weather patterns continue to cause widespread disruptions.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed Thursday that the EDC initiated deliberations during a Malacañang meeting presided over by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday. While a final decision is pending, officials are working to streamline the process alongside the Department of Education (DepEd).
“Minamadali po ito, dahil nga ang sabi ng Pangulo… na ang panahon ay paiba-iba lalo na ngayon at minsan biglang bubuhos ang ulan o bigla namang walang ulan,” Castro stated. (We are fast-tracking this because, as the President noted… the weather is unpredictable, especially nowadays, sometimes there would be heavy downpours, sometimes there are no rain.)
Castro emphasized that delayed announcements severely impact families, forcing students into hazardous commutes during sudden midday downpours or causing unnecessary class cancellations during unexpected dry spells.
“So, kinakailangan po itong mas mabilisan, kasi mas marami po kasing naapektuhan, mga bata at mga magulang kapag hindi agad nagkakaroon ng announcement,” she added. (So, we need to act more quickly, as many people, including children and parents, are affected when announcements aren’t made promptly.)
The policy review comes as state weather bureau DOST-PAGASA reported that a low-pressure area outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) intensified into Tropical Storm Dujuan on Wednesday evening.
In response, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public that relief stockpiles are fully prepared for immediate distribution across vulnerable regions.
“The DSWD does not wait for disasters to happen before preparing at yung atin pong mga resource centers ay non-stop sa pag-produce family food packs for immediate deployment,” said DSWD Assistant Secretary and spokeswoman Irene Dumlao.
“Hindi po pwede na kung kailan pa magkaroon na lindol, bagyo o kung anumang sakuna, tsaka palang tayo kikilos,” Dumlao added. (We cannot afford to wait until an earthquake, typhoon, or any other calamity occurs before we take action.)
Following presidential directives to maintain active relief supply lines, current DSWD inventory includes over 2.9 million family food packs (FFPs), 294,101 non-food items and 285,995 ready-to-eat meal packs stationed nationwide. The agency has already disbursed more than 3.73 million food packs alongside P23.24 million in direct financial aid to communities affected by recent monsoon conditions and past tropical cyclones.