The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, Sept. 1, released the revised guidelines on the cancellation or suspension of classes and work in schools in the event of disasters and other natural calamities to further guide schools, their personnel, and learners --- both within the public and private institutions.
Signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, the agency issued DepEd Order No. 037 series of 2022 to promote the “safety and protection of learners and personnel from unnecessary physical dangers” that they may be exposed to during natural disasters and calamities.
To minimize the health and safety risks brought about by disasters and other natural calamities, the DepEd said that the suspension of classes and work during emergencies “remain to be necessary in upholding the physical and mental well-being of learners and school personnel.”
The guidelines were also issued to ensure that “their constitutional rights to life, health, safety, and property are always protected.”
In the newly-issued guidelines, DepEd said that in-person and online classes at all levels are “automatically cancelled” in schools situated in Local Government Units (LGUs) issued with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) 1, 2, 3,4, or 5 by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) when there is a typhoon.
“If the TCWS is issued at a time when classes have already begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so,” DepEd said. “However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school if travelling has become unsafe,” it added.
Meanwhile, DepEd said that Local Chief Executives may also decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases “where there are strong winds in specific or all areas of the LGU but are not due to a typhoon.”
When there is heavy rainfall, DepEd said that in-person and online classes at all levels are “automatically cancelled” in schools situated in LGUs issued with Yellow, Orange, and Red Rainfall Warning by the PAGASA.
“If the Warning is issued at a time when classes have already begun, the school shall immediately suspend the classes and work and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so,” DepEd said. “However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school if travelling has become unsafe,” it added.
Likewise, DepEd said that Local Chief Executives may decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases “where there are torrential rains in specific or all areas of the LGU” but are not issued a Heavy Rainfall Alert by PAGASA.
In flooded areas, DepEd said that in-person and online classes at all levels are “automatically canceled" in schools situated in LGUs issued with a Flood Warning by the PAGASA.
If the Flood Warning is issued at a time when classes have already begun, DepEd the school shall “immediately suspend” the classes and work and send everyone home, if it is safe to do so.
“However, schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel safely in school if travelling has become unsafe,” it added.
Local Chief Executives may also decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases where there is “flooding in specific or all areas of the LGU but is not issued a Flood Warning by PAGASA.”
During earthquakes, DepEd said that in-person and online classes at all levels are likewise “automatically cancelled” in schools situated in LGUs where the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) declares an earthquake with PHIVOLCS Earthquake Intensity Scale (PEIS) V or above.
“Local Chief Executives shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes in cases where the PEIS is IV and below,” DepEd said.
Meanwhile, DepEd noted that School Principals can also “cancel classes at any Intensity Scale if in their assessment, buildings and other structures are seen to be in danger of collapsing or are found to have major damage.”
DepEd added that the School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Team Head should clear the return of students and personnel in buildings and other structures.
Before this issuance, Executive Order No. 66 series of 2012 was issued by Malacañang on the localized suspension of classes.