Valenzuela gov't amends automatic class suspension ordinance
By Hannah Nicol
The Valenzuela City local government has amended its automatic class suspension ordinance to include guidelines for dangerous heat index conditions.
Under Ordinance No. 1052, Series of 2022, face-to-face classes and work in public and private schools from pre-school to high school will be automatically suspended when the temperature reaches 42 degrees Celsius and above.
The classes will shift to online synchronous or asynchronous mode.
For the tertiary level, face-to-face classes and work in both public and private schools will not be automatically canceled unless it was declared by the city mayor or school administration based on their assessment.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services (PAGASA) forecasted that heat index will be the basis for the suspension of face-to-face classes.
The city’s public information office said it prioritizes the general welfare of its residents as extreme heat waves can make on-site school facilities unsuitable for learning and can be potentially hazardous to health.
It added that they aim to protect their citizens while ensuring the quality of education for students.