QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte announces classes have not been canceled, several schools override decision

While most other LGUs in Metro Manila have canceled classes, Quezon City has not.

On Facebook, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte announced QC is not canceling classes today because PAGASA’s forecast was just “light to moderate” rain.

“We promised the public an announcement by 3-4 am, and keeping with our word, we decided after much deliberation not to suspend classes,” a portion of her Facebook message read.

“We agreed that our decision must be based entirely on the weather forecast forecast…and our confidence in our city’s capacity to endure and to withstand the predicted outcome, not on what other cities in NCR are doing,” she said.

“It was a challenge for us not to be swayed by the bandwagon effect,” the vice mayor adds.

An hour later, she edited her post and said “that parents must exercise their judgement and prerogative to keep their children home especially those living in more risky areas.”

Schools like Ateneo de Manila University, Claret, and Angelicum have over-rided her decision. 

The QC populace have voiced out their opinion on the matter. Joy Belmonte and Quezon City in fact, are trending on Twitter Thursday morning.

In an interview on Unang Balita on Thursday, Belmonte stressed that she relied on the recommendation of the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council.

"So far po 'yung recommendation ng Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council ay tuloy po ang pasok sa Quezon City," she said.

"Ang dahilan po? Kasi po ang deadline po ng pagsabi kung  pasok o wala ay 4 o'clock ng umaga po," Belmonte added.

"Ayon sa 3:40 (a.m.) advisory ng PAGASA DOST, ang kanilang weather forecast ay light to moderate rain na 'di naiiba sa pangkaraniwang monsoon rain. Kaya batay doon sa advisory, ay napagpasiyahan ng DRRMC ng Lungsod Quezon na pwede namang ipagpatuloy ang pasukan," she said.

Bashing

At past 8:30 a.m., however, Belmonte said in a Facebook post that she deserves the bashing she has been receiving over the non-cancellation of classes in Quezon City.

"This time I welcome all the hate and the vileness of your messages. I truly deserve it," she said.

READ: QC Vice Mayor trends on Twitter following her decision not to cancel classes

"While we have a DRRMC that discusses with me their recommendations, I really ought to have asked Myke more probing questions. For example, from their experience how accurate have the PAG-ASA/DOST advisories been? Is it possible for the DRRMC to delay the declaration of class suspension by an hour or so to get a better picture or must we really stick to the 4 am deadline as per national policy?," she wrote.

"Had we allowed ourselves some additional time, we would have received the later PAG-ASA advisories stating some new developments in the weather that they admit they did not foresee earlier. And could we also not have changed our minds given the new data?" she added.

Belmonte said Barangays Sta. Lucia and Doña Imelda canceled classes since their barangays are naturally flood prone. "Bravo to you and to your principals," she said.

The vice mayor also cited the parents who chose not to send their children to school, saying they had "good instincts."

"Sometimes we in government depend too much on data and statistics and not enough on gut feel. And you did the right thing. I salute you," she said.

Belmonte said she appreciates all the nasty comments she has received and admit her weaknesses and shortcomings in this situation.

"The DRRMC will make the announcement through official channels," she clarified. — LA/KG, GMA News