The continued increase in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections prompted several universities and colleges to announce the suspension of classes and on-site work among their students and employees.
On Twitter, the hashtag “WalangPasok” became a trending topic on Thursday, Jan. 13 with a total of 1,572 Tweets as of this writing.
Following the announcement of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso that classes in all levels will be suspended in the city from Jan. 14 to 21 due to the increase in COVID-19 infections, some public and private schools, universities, and colleges also announced the suspension of classes and work.
The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) announced that effective Jan. 10 to 16, all classes including face-to-face, asynchronous, synchronous, and on-site work at will be suspended due to rising COVID-19 infections in the country and among the PLM community.
In a series of tweets, the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) also announced the suspension of synchronous classes in all levels for PWU Taft and PWU JASMS Manila from Jan. 14 to 21 in line with the announcement of the City Government of Manila.
PWU said that students shall be allowed to submit asynchronous requirements after Jan. 21. The faculty were also enjoined to “exercise leniency and compassion” in light of the challenges posed by the current surge of COVID-19 cases.
“Let us continue to stay safe, observe the public health protocols, get vaccinated and boosted when eligible, and pray for healing and an end to this pandemic,” PWU President Marco Alfredo Benitez said.
The Central Student Organization of Far Eastern University (FEU) tweeted that classes will be suspended for all levels starting Jan. 14 to 21 and the classes will resume on Jan. 24.
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila also announced that there will be no classes (both synchronous and asynchronous) for all levels from Jan. 14 to 21.
The New Builder of Mapua and the Benildean of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde also tweeted that classes have been suspended from Jan. 14 to 21.
#WalangPasok: Manila City Mayor @IskoMoreno has suspended classes in all levels, for both public and private schools, from January 14-21, 2022.
According to him, the declaration of a "health break" will allow the students and teachers to rest and recover in case they are sick. pic.twitter.com/VW9wNBfg3z
— The New Builder (@MapuaTNB) January 13, 2022
The De La Salle University (DLSU), in a message from President Br. Bernard Oca FSC announced that classes in all DLSU campuses are suspended from Jan. 17 to 22.
Meanwhile, the St. Joseph’s Academy located in Las Piñas also announced an “academic break” from Jan. 15 to 22. During this period, there will be “no synchronous and asynchronous classes in all levels” due to the ongoing wave of COVID-19 cases nationwide.
Netizens have also been tweeting about #WalangPasok.
User with Twitter handle @saint_janpol said: “Finally the school I am working declared a one week academic health break. This much welcomed. Teachers, students and ntp are all affected by this surge.”
Finally the school I am working declared a one week academic health break. This much welcomed. Teachers, students and ntp are all affected by this surge. #WALANGPASOK
— JP (@saint_janpol) January 13, 2022
Meanwhile, other netizens are also waiting for the announcements coming from their respective local government units (LGUs) regarding the suspension of classes and work.
@shineanddrise said: “sana sa qc din #WalangPasok” while @adorablecyj asked: “caloocan when??”
Some netizens also could not help but wish that the suspension of classes would be applied nationwide.
@Juneshii131 said: “gusto ko rin mag tweet ng #WalangPasok pero bakit kasi di na lang buong pilipinas huhuness” while @huggingbts tweeted: “WOW AMAZING SANA ALL” with the hashtag “WalangPasok.”