ILOILO — Nearly 95,000 students across Iloilo Province were unable to attend face-to-face classes yesterday, Monday, after 256 public schools suspended in-person learning due to flooding, impassable roads, and other hazards left by torrential southwest monsoon (habagat) rains, prompting the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 to activate emergency learning measures to keep education going despite the widespread disruption.
According to DepEd-6, 94,926 learners were affected by the suspension of classes, as persistent monsoon rains continued to batter several municipalities, triggering floods, damaging infrastructure, and making travel unsafe for both students and teachers.
The suspension of face-to-face classes was ordered by local government units following assessments of weather conditions in their respective areas.
Classes were suspended in Pavia (Pre-School to Senior High School); Oton (All Levels); Alimodian (Pre-School to Senior High School); San Miguel (San Antonio Elementary School, San Miguel Central Elementary School, and Santa Cruz Elementary School); Leon (All Levels); Tubungan (All Levels); Maasin (All Levels); Janiuay (All Levels); New Lucena (All Levels); Cabatuan (All Levels); and Leganes (Leganes Central Elementary School, Guihaman Buntatala Elementary School, Guinobatan Elementary School, and Napnud Elementary School).
While much of Iloilo province remained under class suspensions, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo City, Passi City, and Roxas City resumed face-to-face classes after local authorities determined conditions in their respective areas were safe enough for students to return to school.
To minimize learning disruptions, DepEd implemented alternative learning delivery through its “HINGA” Learning Continuity Framework under DepEd Order No. 014, Series of 2026, allowing schools to continue educational activities using flexible learning modalities during emergencies.
The order also authorizes school heads, in coordination with Schools Division Superintendents and local government units, to impose granular class suspensions whenever localized weather conditions warrant such action, ensuring that classes continue safely in unaffected areas.
Relentless monsoon rains since July 11 have displaced numerous families across Western Visayas, many of whom have sought temporary shelter in evacuation centers after their homes were inundated by floodwaters.
Flooded roads and damaged transport routes have also complicated relief and disaster response operations in several communities.
DepEd-6 said safeguarding the health and safety of learners, teachers, and school personnel remains its top priority as authorities continue to monitor the weather situation and coordinate with local governments on possible further class suspensions.
Nearly 10,000 people across Western Visayas have been displaced by relentless rains dumped by the southwest monsoon, forcing hundreds of families into evacuation centers as flood-damaged homes, disrupted transport and inundated communities stretched disaster response efforts across the region.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, in Situational Report No. 4 as of 2 p.m. Sunday, July 12, reported that 2,978 families or 9,592 individuals had been affected by the weather disturbance. Of these, 128 families or 360 persons were staying inside 24 evacuation centers, while 134 families or 385 persons were temporarily sheltered with relatives and friends./PN
