TACLOBAN CITY – Mayor Nacional Mercado suspended classes from preschool to elementary in public and private schools in Maasin City, Leyte on Thursday, April 4, due to extreme heat forecast by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration.

MAYOR Mercado (FB)
Mercado issued an executive order and stressed the health and well-being of students and teachers in his decision to suspend classes.
“Health and education are very important in the foundation and the future of our children...We really need to put health (as) a priority,” he said.
Mercado suspended classes after the local disaster risk reduction and management office provided the weather forecast from the PAGASA and following reports that some students felt dizzy due to the weather.
The heat index in Maasin City is expected to reach up to 40 degrees Celsius
Mercado added that there is a possibility that they will extend the suspension of face-to-face classes should the hot weather persist.
Other areas in Eastern Visayas also cancelled classes due to extreme heat.
On Wednesday, 12 schools in the municipalities of Malitbog, Macrohon, Pintuyan, and Tomas Oppus, Southern Leyte canceled face-to-face classes due to extreme heat.
The local government of Biliran in Biliran province issued an executive order shifting face-to-face classes to blended learning until April 19.
Face-to-face classes were allowed in morning session and modular distance learning in the afternoon.