The call to move the opening of classes from June to September has been revived anew in a bid to avoid the rainy season.

In Senate Bill No. 2407, Senator Franklin Drilon sought to revise the opening of the academic calendar to avoid the rainy season which has brought inconvenience to students, parents, and school officials. The bill cited that the months of June, July, and August are peak months for devastating typhoons in the country.

“It has become impractical and unwise to commence the school year during the typhoon season as students, parents, and school authorities have to deal with floods, landslides, diseases, lack of transportation and damaged school buildings,” said Drilon in justifying his bill.

The proposed legislation seeks to amend Section 24, Chapter 9, Title VI, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1997.

Drilon went on to say that traffic congestion becomes worse with the onset of the rainy season due to massive flooding and bad road conditions, particularly in urban areas.

“In flood-prone areas, school buildings are used as evacuation centers. These facilities can be better put to use if they are not being utilized as classrooms and are ready and properly equipped for such emergency measures during the height of the rainy season,” he added. (Rolly T. Carandang)