Last-minute Class Suspension in Metro Manila Draws Flak from Transport Group
Class suspensions are usually met with glee by students, but this may be one of the few occasions when it wasn’t.
PHOTO Presidential Communications Operations Office
Presidential Spokesperson Atty. Harry Roque announced in a media briefing earlier today that Malacañang has suspended classes in Metro Manila today, March 20. “In view of actual and/or imminent threats posed by some groups, we are suspending classes at all levels in Metro Manila effective today, March 20, to safeguard the safety of students,” Roque said during the media briefing.
Memorandum Circular 42, issued last night by the Palace, cited an “organized transport strike” as the reason for the suspension. “Suspension of classes in other affected areas shall be left to the discretion of their respective local government units.”
The suspension was made public midday, when most students were already in school.
Transport group PISTON, through its president George San Mateo, denounced the suspension of classes, saying that the Palace, through the Presidential Spokesperson, was spreading “fake news.”
Malacanang sa pamamagitan ng Presidential spokesperson ay naghahasik ng fake news. Nagpalabas ng pahayag na meron pa daw…
“[Malacañang] released a statement saying we would be holding another transport strike tomorrow, which might prompt them to suspend classes until March 23. As we said during our press conference last March 14, we will only hold a transport strike today, March 19,” said San Mateo in a statement posted on his Facebook account.
He also said that Malacañang should “face, talk, and listen to the pleas of jeepney drivers and operators and not confuse the public.”
Source: GMA News Online, CNN Philippines, Rappler, Official Gazette, PCOO Facebook page
