Three towns in Davao Occidental have suspended classes on Thursday, January 2, 2025, due to the effects of flood brought about by the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) on December 26, 2024.

Classes in all schools in the municipalities of Don Marcelino, Santa Maria, and Jose Abad Santos were suspended.

In an advisory, the local government of Don Marcelino said the flash floods on December 26 caused significant damage to roads and other vital infrastructures in the town, and the suspension of classes until January 3 will provide necessary time for the clearing and restoration of roads, ensuring the safe return to school once condition permits.

Schools in Don Marcelino were urged to shift to alternative learning methods.

The local government of Jose Abad Santos, on the other hand, also announced that distance learning will also be implemented from January 2 to 3, as the town continues to recover from the effects of bad weather last December 26.

Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Bayan of Don Marcelino passed a resolution declaring a state of calamity on December 28.

With the declaration of state of calamity, the release of funds for assistance to families affected will be fast-tracked and a price freeze on basic commodities will be implemented.

The town of Malita has already declared a state of calamity earlier.

Based on data from the Office of Civil Defense-Davao (OCD-11), a total of 6,746 families or more than 28,000 individuals were affected by the effects of ITCZ in the entire Davao region as of December 31, 2024.

(With reports from John Ryan Calonia, GMA Super Radyo Davao)