Task force says LGUs, school heads may suspend classes due to extreme heat
By Raymund Antonio and Raymund Antonio
Task Force El Niño on Monday, April 1, announced that local government heads and school heads both in public or private schools have the authority to suspend classes and shift to online mode of learning because of the extremely hot weather conditions in their localities.
(Photo courtesy of DepEd / File Photo / MANILA BULLETIN)
During the Bagong Pilipinas briefing, Task Force El Niño spokesperson Joey Villarama cited an advisory from the Department of Education (DepEd).
“So, kung sobra talaga na hindi makaka-concentrate ang bata pag sobrang init, kung kayo ay nakaka-experience ng extreme heat sa inyong lokalidad, nasa sa inyo ang kapangyarihan para i-shift ang inyong face-to-face classes to online classes (So, if the students cannot concentrate because it’s too hot, if you are experiencing extreme heat in your locality, it is within your power to shift your face-to-face classes to online classes),” he said.
Villarama also reminded parents to make sure their children are well-hydrated and to place them in well-ventilated areas in their house so they can still study well despite the heat.
His remarks came after at least 10 towns, mostly in Western Visayas, have declared class suspensions on April 1 to 2 because of the high heat conditions in their areas.
Lo governments of Iloilo City, Isabela, Tantangan in South Cotabato, Bacolod City, and Hinoba-an and E.B Magalona in Negros Occidental reportedly have all suspended their in-person classes because of the heat.
“Kung hindi po talaga viable at hindi na po talagang advisable na tumungo pa sa mga classrooms ang ating mga kabataan, pati ang ating mga teachers ay mag-shift na tayo sa online classes (If it's really not viable and advisable for the students and teachers to be in the classrooms; they have to shift to online classes),” Villarama stressed.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the eastern sections of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao may experience isolated rains and thunderstorms because of the warm winds from the Pacific Ocean.
Localized thunderstorms will also cause isolated rain showers and thunderstorms in Metro Manila and the rest of the country. This will result in partly cloudy to cloudy skies.