BACOLOD City – Public and private schools in Bacolod City have been given the authority to independently assess and decide on the suspension of face-to-face classes amid rising temperatures and extreme heat conditions.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said schools should follow the Department of Education (DepEd) guidelines, which allow school division superintendents and principals to determine whether in-person classes should be suspended when the heat index reaches 33 to 41 degrees Celsius.
“Bacolod City experienced a heat index of 41 degrees Celsius. Based on the Department of Education (DepEd) memorandum, when the heat index reaches 33 to 41 degrees Celsius, schools, through their respective Schools Division Superintendents or principals, should decide whether to suspend face-to-face classes without waiting for an announcement from the city government,” Gasataya said.
He noted that some schools lack adequate facilities to protect students and personnel from extreme heat.
“So, we are allowing schools to assess and evaluate their respective situations and make the necessary decisions regarding the suspension of face-to-face classes,” he added.
Following the 41-degree Celsius heat index recorded the previous day, some public schools suspended face-to-face classes, while most private schools opted to implement health breaks.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) earlier identified Iloilo City, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro, and Catarman in Northern Samar as areas expected to record heat indices of up to 43 degrees Celsius on Monday.
The move is also in line with Executive Order No. 130 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which establishes guidelines for the suspension and resumption of classes and on-site work in public and private educational institutions.
Under the order, schools may independently suspend in-person classes based on documented, site-specific threats to the safety of students and personnel, provided there is no existing automatic suspension or suspension order issued by the local government.
Schools may also request to resume face-to-face classes despite an existing localized suspension. However, resumption requires a safety assessment and the concurrence of the concerned local chief executive.
EO No. 130 also amends Executive Order No. 66, series of 2012, which previously governed the suspension of classes and work in government offices during calamities and weather disturbances.(WDJ)/PN
