ILIGAN CITY, Lanao del Norte — Local authorities in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte have declared a suspension of classes from Monday, February 9, until Friday, February 13, following the severe impact of Typhoon “Basyang” (international name: Penha). The decision was made to give residents, schools, and local institutions enough time to recover from the extensive damage caused by the storm.

The announcement came as communities across the city assessed the aftermath of Basyang’s heavy rains and strong winds, which reportedly led to flooding, power interruptions, and damage to homes and public infrastructure. While no detailed damage assessment has yet been released, the local government emphasized that the priority is ensuring public safety and allowing families to focus on cleanup, repairs, and recovery.

Suspending classes for an entire week reflects the scale of disruption the typhoon has caused. For many students and teachers, schools are not just places of learning but also evacuation sites or areas affected by floodwaters and debris. Resuming classes too soon, officials noted, could place students at risk or add pressure to families already struggling to cope with the disaster’s effects.

Beyond education, the declaration highlights the broader vulnerability of cities like Iligan to increasingly intense weather events. Each typhoon exposes recurring issues—drainage capacity, housing resilience, disaster preparedness, and the speed of government response. While emergency measures such as class suspensions provide short-term relief, they also raise long-term questions about how communities can better withstand future storms.

As Iligan City works to bounce back from Typhoon Basyang, residents are left reflecting on a familiar cycle of damage and recovery. The key question now is not only how quickly life can return to normal, but also: What lasting steps will be taken to ensure the city is better prepared when the next storm strikes? (Larawan mula sa: LELA / PIA-10 / Lanao del Norte)