ILOILO City — More than 117,000 learners across Western Visayas were forced out of their classrooms on Thursday, July 9, after local government units suspended face-to-face classes due to the southwest monsoon (habagat) enhanced by Typhoon Inday.
The Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 activated its emergency learning continuity program as it counted 117,296 learners affected by class suspensions in 489 public schools across 15 municipalities in Antique and one municipality in Iloilo Province.
The biggest impact was recorded in Antique, where 106,660 learners were displaced, while 10,636 learners in Iloilo also shifted out of regular classroom instruction.
The suspension of face-to-face classes was ordered by the concerned local government units based on prevailing weather conditions in their respective areas.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) clarified that Western Visayas is not in the path of Typhoon Inday – earlier classified as a super typhoon then weakened yesterday morning – but it is expected to strengthen the southwest monsoon, bringing moderate to heavy rains across the region from July 9 to 11.
To ensure that learning continues despite the disruption, DepEd implemented the alternative delivery mode of learning under the “HINGA” Learning Continuity Framework, as provided under DepEd Order No. 014, Series of 2026, or the Guidelines on Learning Continuity in Emergencies.
The policy adopts the “Hayo–Hinay–Hinga–Hinto Learning Continuity Framework” to guide schools in sustaining education before, during and after emergencies while protecting the welfare and safety of learners, teachers and other DepEd personnel.
Under the framework:
* Hayo (Continue) allows regular face-to-face classes when learners and teachers remain physically safe, emotionally stable and ready for learning.
* Hinay (Ease-in) provides more flexible learning through online synchronous classes, digital and printed modules, broadcast materials and learning packets during minor to moderate disruptions.
* Hinga (Check-in) significantly reduces academic demands during more serious emergencies while prioritizing learners’ physical, psychological and social-emotional well-being.
* Hinto (Stop) completely suspends academic instruction during extreme emergencies.
DepEd said affected learners and teachers under the highest emergency level must receive Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), including psychological first aid.
The order also authorizes school heads to coordinate closely with Schools Division Superintendents and local government units in implementing granular class suspensions based on actual community conditions to minimize unnecessary disruptions in areas that remain safe.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Inday is forecast to move northwestward while remaining over the Philippine Sea, and pass near extreme Northern Luzon by Friday evening, before exiting the country on Saturday, July 11.
Aside from Western Visayas, the enhanced southwest monsoon is also likely to bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers over the following areas: Mimaropa, Negros Island Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Lanao del Norte, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and South Cotabato./PN
