ILOILO City – The Department of Education (DepEd) has clarified that there have been no reported cases of teachers dying from heat stroke in Iloilo, countering claims made by a radio station.
The erroneous report, aired on Tuesday night, alleged that two teachers from Santa Barbara, Iloilo, had succumbed to heat stroke while teaching.
The DepEd described the report as “highly inaccurate and misleading”, stating that the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Iloilo Province confirmed no such incidents.
Instead, the SDO reported that one teacher died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease in February 2024, and another from an aneurysm in March 2024, both occurring at their homes.
Hernani Escullar Jr., the DepEd Region 6 information officer, emphasized that these deaths could not be linked to the prevailing hot weather, as they happened indoors and were unrelated to the teachers’ professional activities.
Escullar reassured that the health of teachers and learners remains a priority for DepEd.
To ensure safety, local government units (LGUs) and school heads are given the authority to suspend classes or shift to alternative learning modes during extreme weather conditions.
Escullar stressed the importance of protecting all school personnel and students, especially during such critical times.
Additionally, DepEd encourages students feeling unwell to coordinate with their teachers for continued education at home.
Parents and guardians are also reminded of their responsibility in deciding whether their children should attend classes, especially those with pre-existing conditions like asthma.
DepEd stresses it remains proactive in safeguarding the well-being of the educational community, supporting class suspensions when necessary, and ensuring appropriate medical attention is available for any school-associated health issues./PN
