The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) batted yesterday for the suspension of classes in at least 20 public and private schools, colleges and universities in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Luzon to give way to the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya said the Department has issued Memorandum Circular 2019-198 asking all the concerned local chief executives (LCE) to cancel or suspend classes in selected schools only and only on the dates coinciding with the competition schedules in their respective areas.
He noted these schools are located in cities and towns serving as venues for the SEA Games.
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año issued the Memorandum Circular based on the request of the Philippine South East Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) in a bid to alleviate traffic during the duration of the sporting meet.
Based on the list provided and vetted by the SEA Games Security Task Force, PHISGOC and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the following schools are recommended for class suspensions from December 2 to 6:
Metro Manila – St. Paul College-Pasig, Poveda, De La Salle University, De La Salle College of St. Benilde, St. Scholastica’s College-Manila, Arellano University School of Law-Manila, and Wesleyan College-Manila;
Southern Luzon Cluster – Tagaytay Science National High School, City College of Tagaytay, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Rosa Science and Technology High School, Blessed Christian School de Santa Rosa, U.P. Los Baños, Christian School International, and San Antonio Elementary School;
Subic Cluster – Lyceum of Subic Bay Palm Tree, WOW Recreation and Activity Center, Mondriam Aura College, and College of Subic Bay Montessori-Subic Bay;
Clark Cluster – Systems Plus College Foundation and Angeles University Foundation.
Malaya said that mayors may also extend the class suspension to other schools or colleges in their respective jurisdictions should they see the need to do so. (Chito A. Chavez)