Marcos Allows Localized Class Suspensions Under New Executive Order

 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has introduced a more localized approach to class suspensions, giving local governments and schools greater authority to determine when in-person learning should be halted or resumed based on actual safety conditions.

Under Executive Order No. 130, the suspension of face-to-face classes, school activities and onsite work will follow three mechanisms: automatic suspension triggered by official government warnings, localized suspension declared by local chief executives, and school-level suspension based on documented assessments of specific campus conditions.

The policy is intended to address situations where weather disturbances, extreme temperatures and other hazards affect communities differently. Rather than applying a blanket suspension across entire provinces or regions, authorities can now make decisions that reflect the risks experienced by individual localities and schools.

Malacañang press officer Claire Castro said the measure gives local government units greater flexibility in identifying which communities and educational institutions should suspend operations.

She emphasized that while student safety remains the priority, prolonged disruptions also affect the continuity of education.

Three levels of suspension

EO 130 establishes a clear framework for determining when classes and onsite school operations should stop.

Automatic suspensions will take effect when official warnings, forecasts, advisories or alert levels issued by PAGASA, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, or other authorized national government agencies meet the prescribed conditions.

When no automatic suspension applies, local chief executives may declare localized suspensions after evaluating documented risk assessments and prevailing circumstances in their jurisdictions.

Schools may also independently suspend in-person activities when neither national nor local suspension orders are in effect. However, school administrators must establish through documented, site-specific assessments that an actual or imminent threat exists to the safety, health or welfare of students and personnel.

The order also establishes conditions for resuming normal operations. Classes and onsite work may restart after the suspension period ends or the relevant warning or declaration is lifted, downgraded or no longer applicable, subject to necessary safety inspections and assessments.

For areas covered by localized suspension orders, an earlier resumption requires the concurrence of the concerned local chief executive.

Importantly, the government clarified that stopping face-to-face classes does not mean stopping education altogether. Schools are directed to activate alternative learning delivery methods and other continuity arrangements during disruptions.

The Department of Education welcomed the policy, describing it as a more flexible, organized and responsive framework for managing school suspensions and resumptions.

DepEd is expected to release implementing guidelines within 30 days. These will establish the technical thresholds, qualifying circumstances, documentation requirements, timelines and coordination procedures needed to implement the order.

Dangerous heat levels prompt school suspensions

The revised framework comes as the government strengthens its preparations for El Niño and the possibility of prolonged hot and dry conditions.

PAGASA resumed issuing its highest heat index forecasts, with Borongan, Eastern Samar, recording the country's highest projected reading at 44 degrees Celsius.

Six other locations were forecast to reach 43 degrees Celsius: Dagupan City in Pangasinan, Bacnotan in La Union, Iloilo City, Dumangas in Iloilo, Mambusao in Capiz and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte.

Meanwhile, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro, Cuyo in Palawan, Siquijor and Guiuan in Eastern Samar were projected to experience heat indices of 42 degrees Celsius.

PAGASA classifies heat indices between 42 and 51 degrees Celsius as dangerous. Extended exposure to these conditions, particularly when combined with strenuous physical activity, increases the likelihood of heat exhaustion and potentially life-threatening heat stroke.

The weather bureau also warned that drought conditions could affect 12 areas by the end of November as El Niño continues. The projected areas include Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Capiz, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Samar, Siquijor, Southern Leyte, Isabela City in Basilan and Misamis Oriental.

Another 57 areas could experience dry spells, while 11 may face dry conditions within the same period.

The extreme heat forecasts have already prompted several local governments to suspend face-to-face classes.

In Cavite City, Mayor Denver Chua ordered the suspension of in-person classes at all levels in public schools, except Cavite City National Science High School, following projections of a 42-degree Celsius heat index.

Mulanay in Quezon also suspended classes across all grade levels in public and private schools because of the anticipated extreme heat.

In Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental, Mayor Raymund Tongson likewise ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in both public and private schools amid forecasts of a 41-degree Celsius heat index.

DOH prepares hospitals for heat-related illnesses

Beyond education, the Department of Health is strengthening its preparedness measures to manage the potential medical consequences of prolonged extreme heat.

The agency has begun conducting El Niño masterclasses for government health personnel and healthcare professionals, focusing on preparedness strategies and appropriate responses as weather conditions become more severe.

The training is intended to equip personnel from regional offices and DOH hospitals with the knowledge needed to anticipate and manage health risks associated with the phenomenon.

Hospitals are also preparing for a possible increase in patients experiencing heat-related conditions. One contingency measure involves temporarily redeploying personnel from other hospital departments to support units handling patients affected by extreme temperatures.

Dedicated fast lanes will also be established in hospital emergency rooms to prioritize individuals suffering from heat-related illnesses.

Health authorities are reminding the public to take preventive measures, particularly during periods of extreme heat. Residents are encouraged to drink sufficient water, apply sunscreen and limit outdoor activities whenever possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

As El Niño preparations intensify, the coordinated efforts of schools, local governments, weather agencies and healthcare institutions will be essential in reducing health risks while keeping essential services and education running.