Because of not suspending the classes in Quezon City yesterday (July 27, 2017), Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte received negative comments and criticisms from many people, especially the parents of the affected students due to typhoon “Gorio.”
Many parents did not hide their disappointment with the Vice Mayor of Quezon City because of not suspending the classes despite the heavy rainfall on Thursday.
From the statement of Belmonte, she cannot immediately cancel the classes like what the other nearby cities did in Metro Manila. Even if they criticized her, she stands firm on her decision and accepting the negative comments posted through a social media networking site online.
The lady Vice Mayor explained that she decided not to suspend the classes in all levels in the city based on the information of the forecasted weather condition on Thursday. According to her statement published through Facebook, she discussed the matters with Michael Marasigan even before Thursday because the weather agency confirmed that there will be no heavy rainfall in Metro Manila.
Marasigan is the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (DRRMC) acting chief of Quezon City.
“It was a challenge for us not to be swayed by the bandwagon effect,” said Belmonte. The lady city official alludes to other local governments that already suspended their classes on Wednesday afternoon, as quoted by inquirer.net.
Belmonte also explained that it is not easy to suspend the classes because almost 30% of the children in the elementary level had been missing classes, which seriously affected their regular studies to learn better.
In line with this, there are disappointed parents and netizens who posted their sentiments online.
One of them said that the Vice Mayor is lucky for not residing in an area where flooding is not an issue. Another comment stated that although it is right to prioritize education, it is not possible to sacrifice the health of the students in place of education.
Some even called her “insensitive” as reported by the news online.
Credit image: PhilStar