TACLOBAN CITY – The University of the Eastern Philippines in Catarman, Northern Samar, has implemented online classes starting Friday, April 5, due to extreme heat.
Cherry Ultra, UEP president, issued a memorandum for the implementation of online classes for undergraduate, law, and graduate studies until April 13.
Ultra said the decision ensures the safety of the academic community from the effects of the rising heat index.
Catarman is expected to register the highest heat index in the Philippines at 44 degrees Celsius according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
On Thursday, April 4, PAGASA recorded a danger level heat index of 44 degrees Celsius in Catarman and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
The Department of Education reported that at least 110 schools implemented distance learning, 98 shifted to modular distance learning, one online distance learning, and 11 blended learning due to extreme heat in Eastern Visayas, affecting 1,161 classes and 31,054 learners.