LPA seen to dampen class opening in parts of PH on Monday

Rains due to a low pressure area (LPA) may greet the first day of classes on Monday in some parts of the country, according to state weather bureau PAGASA on Friday.

PAGASA weather specialist Ana Clauren-Jorda said the LPA is expected to cause inclement weather in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region early next week.

“By Monday, expect po natin na itong eastern section naman po ng southern Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao or particular na sa Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, at Davao Region, inaasahan natin na makakaranas ng mga pag-ulan early next week dahil nga sa posibleng epekto ng LPA na ating mino-monitor,” Clauren-Jorda told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview.

(By Monday, expect the eastern section of southern Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao or particularly in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, and Davao Region, to experience rains early next week because of the possible impact of the LPA that we are monitoring.)

Clauren-Jorda said the LPA is expected to move closer to the eastern section of the country in the next few days. There is also a small chance that the LPA would intensify into a tropical cyclone, she said.

Since the LPA is still located in the sea and may gain strength, Clauren-Jorda said PAGASA is not ruling out the possibility of its intensification.

PAGASA also said the LPA has a "low chance" of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, some schools already announced the postponement of the resumption of classes due to flooding and damage caused by the effects of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and Tropical Cyclone Carina, Unang Balita reported.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said he will issue a list of these schools on Friday.

“Some schools will really have to postpone their openings kasi maraming aayusin at lilinisin. I’ll be issuing a list tomorrow kung saan postponed ang pasukan and the regional directors will also work with the principals to assess readiness for school opening,” he said.

(Some schools will really have to postpone their openings because there is a lot to fix and clean. I'll be issuing a list tomorrow where class opening is postponed and the regional directors will also work with the principals to assess readiness for school opening.)

As of Friday, 324 schools are being used as evacuation centers in Cordillera, Metro Manila, Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Western Visayas.

Around 90 schools, on the other hand, have reported damage in their facilities in Cordillera, Metro Manila, Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

The DepEd will need P630 million for reconstruction and rehabilitation. —KBK, GMA Integrated News