Angara asks public not to pressure LGUs to suspend classes during light rains
Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara called on the public not to pressure local governments into suspending classes when there's little rain.
Angara explained the consequences of suspending classes in an ambush interview on July 21 at the launch of the expanded School-Based Feeding Program in Antipolo City.
"Nakikiusap din kami sa publiko, mga magulang, mga estudyante. Huwag natin masyadong i-pressure ang ating local government, chief executives na konting ulan mag-suspend na tayo dahil 'pag sinumatotal natin ang mga nawawalang araw, malaki ang dagok o tama sa ating mga estudyante, 'yung tinatawag na learning loss," he told reporters.
"'Yung in-emphasize namin that there must be make-up classes kasi matindi na 'yung learning loss talaga. Apektado ang bata 'pag masyadong maraming cancellation."
The Education chief said that make-up classes could be held on Saturdays or after school, depending on the availability of teachers.
He also noted that DepEd is pushing its Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) program, which is aimed at improving Filipino students' academic performance.
At around noon, Malacañang suspended classes in all levels and government work in Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, and Bataan on Monday due to continuous rainfall brought about by the southwest monsoon or habagat.
Department of Interior and Local Government Jonvic Remulla admitted that class suspensions should have been announced the night before.
"Mali po kasi 'yung ginawa namin na hapon pa lang ang suspension. Mali naman na papapasukin niyo tapos kung kailan malakas 'yung ulan, saka sila uuwi. Edi lalong dobleng hirap po 'yun," he said in an interview with TV Patrol.
By Monday afternoon, the DILG announced class and government work suspensions in Metro Manila and other areas for July 22.
Class suspension guidelines
In December 2024, DepEd released updated guidelines for class and work suspensions during disasters and emergencies to prevent too many losses of school days.
According to DepEd Order (DO) 22, a revised version of DO 37 from 2022, suspensions are based on the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) level issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Only Kindergarten classes in affected areas are automatically suspended under TCWS 1 for Typhoons and Tropical Cyclones.
Meanwhile, for TCWS 2, face-to-face classes for Kindergarten to Grade 10 will be suspended, but only if they will shift to modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects, or make-up classes to ensure that learning competencies are still met.
Meanwhile, classes and work in all levels in the affected area will be automatically suspended under TCWS 3 or above.
For Heavy Rainfall and Flood, suspensions will depend on the Rainfall Warning signals by PAGASA.
Under Yellow Warning, the local chief executive of the area will be the one to decide whether classes will be suspended, so long as the students will still shift to alternative means of learning.
Classes and work from Kindergarten to Grade 12 and ALS are automatically suspended if the rainfall or flooding reaches Orange or Red Warning.
Should the warning be issued at a time when classes have already begun for the day, the school head shall immediately suspend classes and work and send everyone home if it is safe to do so. However, DepEd stressed that schools are "obligated to keep the learners and personnel safely in school if traveling has become unsafe."
Yellow rainfall warning means flooding is possible in low-lying areas and near river channels. Meanwhile, orange warning signifies flooding is threatening, and red means that severe flooding is expected.
DepEd reported that in 2024, the highest number of learning days lost due to suspensions came from schools in the Cordillera Administrative Region, totaling 36 missed days from July to November of that year.
