By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur— A netizen has publicly apologized to Agusan del Sur Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. after his viral comment criticizing the governor’s Thursday morning announcement suspending classes at all levels, calling it “already late.”
The comment, made by Joseph Dondoy, quickly circulated online for its sarcastic tone. He wrote, “Just now you’re announcing it? The kids are already on their way to school, and the roads are so muddy. Go back to sleep, Gov.”
Gov. Cane described the remark as annoying (bwesit) but used the opportunity to clarify the reasoning behind the class suspension.
He explained that declaring a suspension is not a sudden decision and must follow a careful assessment process. This includes monitoring Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA0 advisories, evaluating rainfall and flood risks, coordinating with provincial and municipal disaster response offices, assessing affected areas across the province, and ensuring the declaration is legally and administratively supported through an Executive Order.
“Declaring a class suspension is not a sudden decision and is based on verified information, not social media pressure. Our top priority is the safety of children and everyone. Let’s promote informed discussion instead of bashing. Safety requires a process, not panic. Stay safe, Agsurnons,” Cane said.
Dondoy later issued a public apology, acknowledging his mistake and asking for forgiveness from Gov. Cane and the people of Agusan del Sur. “Good day to all the people of Agusan del Sur. I hope you can forgive me for the inappropriate comment I made about our governor. I also hope Gov. Cane can forgive me. I know what I did was a big mistake. I regret the comment I made, and I ask for forgiveness, especially from Gov. Cane. God bless,” he said.
Community advocate Leah Cristianie Gavino Berbal also urged parents and students to prioritize safety over social media arguments. She reminded parents to notify advisers if it is unsafe for their children to attend school and encouraged students to communicate their absences as well. “Let’s not go overboard with harsh words. Kindness and understanding reflect our values,” she said.
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