DILG chief admits delay in class, gov’t work suspension

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla admitted on Monday, September 1, that the announcement on the suspension of classes and government work in Metro Manila and 16 provinces came later than intended. “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 told INQUIRER.net in a text message. According to him, the updated forecast was issued at 3 a.m. Monday. “I read the notice as soon as I woke up at 6 a.m. It was my fault. I should have woken up at 5 a.m. to make the earlier announcement,” he added. “I read it too late.” The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) officially declared the suspension on Monday morning, citing inclement weather conditions. The authority to announce class and government work suspensions was transferred to the DILG last July. During a forum following the fourth State of the Nation Address, Remulla said the department aimed to release such advisories by 4 p.m. the day before. Via Fritz Nicolai R. Rodriguez, Insight PH