Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday, Sept. 25, responded to frequently asked questions from netizens on class suspensions, including the viral remark, “Waterproof kami? (Are we waterproof?).”

Sotto issued the statement following the announcement of the automatic suspension of classes in day care (early childhood development center) and kindergarten in both public and private schools in the city on Thursday.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised in Metro Manila due to Severe Tropical Storm Opong, based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA’s) 5 a.m. Tropical Cyclone Bulletin.

Among the questions he addressed was "Kami ang exception? (Are we the exception?)," which he clarified by saying that only Kindergarten and daycare students were exempted.

He also answered netizens who frequently asked, “Bakit ganoon? (Why is it like that?),” with some referring to why only kindergarten had no classes, as well as the popular remark, “Waterproof kami? (Are we waterproof?).”

“Check the forecast, the rules of DepEd and LGU, and the actual situation before you complain. Madalas nagrereklamo tapos pag tingin mo di naman umuulan ng malakas sa lugar nila (Many people complain even when, upon checking, it is not actually raining hard in their area),” he explained.

Sotto emphasized that the local government cannot just suspend classes without a proper and sufficient reason.

He also said that students may choose not to attend classes and schools will be instructed to be lenient with attendance.

“Tandaan din natin na may oras talaga na nagkakamali talaga ang forecast o suspension. Kung may ganitong pagkakataon, wag kayo pumasok at sasabihan namin ang schools na maging lenient sa attendance (Let us also remember that there are times when the forecast or suspension may turn out to be wrong. If such situations occur, do not attend classes, and we will instruct schools to be lenient with attendance),” he added.

Some netizens also expressed dismay at students whom they described as constantly relying on class suspensions. One comment read, “Nakakahiya mga students ngayon. Pls do some research at wag asa nang asa sa suspension. Ang baba na ng Pilipinas pagdating sa literacy (Students nowadays are embarrassing. Please do some research and stop constantly depending on suspensions. The Philippines already ranks low in terms of literacy).”

Another remarked, “Wag puro reklamo wala naman po ulan… naghahabol na po ang mga bata sa academics. Hindi po pwede lagi walang pasok kawawa mga bata, baka hindi nila maenjoy ang sembreak nila dahil baka dun habulin ang ibang lesson kaya please wag puro reklamo (Stop complaining when there is no rain. The children are already catching up in academics, and there cannot always be class suspensions. The kids will suffer, and they might not even enjoy their semestral break if lessons have to be crammed then, so please, stop complaining).”

Another netizen expressed a similar sentiment, saying, “Tama lang po yan. Masyadong dumami na ang araw ng walang pasok ng mga bata. Hindi naman kalakasan kapag umulan. OA lang yung ibang magulang, di iniisip maraming araw nasasayang ang mga bata (That is right. Children already missed too many school days. The rain is not that strong, and some parents are just overreacting, not thinking about the school days the children are wasting).”

“Ang O.A nyo. As parents, p'wede kayo mag-decide if papapasukin nyo or hindi ang mga anak nyo… di nyo kailangan iasa lahat sa announcement (You are overreacting. As parents, you can decide whether or not to send your children to school—you do not have to depend entirely on announcements),” one netizen stressed.

In November 2024, Sotto reminded students and school personnel not to wait for a local announcement of class suspension when Signal No. 1 or higher has already been raised in Metro Manila.

Sotto explained the existing Executive Order No. PCG-48, series of 2024, which localizes the Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 37, series of 2022.

EO No. 37 mandates that classes and work in schools are cancelled or suspended during a typhoon, heavy rainfall, flood, earthquake, and power interruptions/brownouts.

During a typhoon, the DepEd said that in-person, online classes and work from Kindergarten to Grades 12 and Alternative Learning System (ALS) in 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 PAGASA.

The mayor added that if a typhoon or heavy rainfall occurs but no red or orange rainfall warning is issued, school principals have the authority to cancel or suspend classes in their jurisdiction if they deem the conditions unsafe for students and staff.

He emphasized that red and orange rainfall warnings signify that classes in levels are automatically suspended, while yellow rainfall warning only covers classes under K-12 (early childhood care and development (ECCD) and Kinder to Grade 12).