Consider F2F class suspension amid extreme heat, Task Force asks LGUs

FILE: Catholics use umbrellas to protect themselves from extreme heat while going to and from the San Agustin Church and the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila on Maundy Thursday (March 28, 2024), as part of the traditional Visita Iglesia. (PNA photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – The Task Force El Niño on Monday urged local government units (LGUs) to consider suspension of in-person classes amid the possible effects of rising temperatures, especially on learners.

During the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary and Task Force El Niño spokesperson Joey Villarama said LGUs can exercise their authority to suspend face-to-face (F2F) learning.

“Kung kayo po ay nakaka-experience ng extreme heat sa inyong lokalidad, nasa sa inyo po ang kapangyarihan po para i-shift ang inyong face-to-face classes to online classes (If you’re experiencing extreme heat in your locality, the power to shift the face-to-face classes to online classes is in your hands),” he said.

Villarama stressed that LGUs should not only consider “convenience” but also the possible adverse effects of surging temperatures on learners and teachers.

“Kung hindi po talaga viable at hindi na po talagang advisable na tumungo pa sa mga classroom ang ating mga kabataan, pati ang ating mga teacher, ay mag-shift na po tayo sa (If it’s no longer viable nor advisable for our youth to go to the classroom, even to our teachers, shift it to) online classes,” he said.

At home, learners should also have access to adequate clean drinking water and stay in a well-ventilated area, he added.

Department of Education (DepEd) Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas, meanwhile, said learners and teachers have the option to wear more comfortable clothes inside school premises subject to dress codes.

The DepEd earlier mentioned that school heads also have the authority to declare class suspension, besides LGUs.

As of Monday, the DepEd reported 13 areas in four regions that suspended in-person classes from preschool to senior high school, both in public and private schools due to sweltering temperatures.

Dagupan City, Pangasinan in the Ilocos Region suspended F2F classes until April 4.

Other areas that suspended onsite classes on Monday were Iloilo City and Dumangas, Iloilo province; Roxas, Capiz; Kabankalan City, Silay City, Himamaylan City, and Bago City in Negros Occidental; and Guimaras in Western Visayas; as well as Pagadian City Pilot School and Buenavista Integrated School in Zamboanga Peninsula; and Banga and Tantangan in South Cotabato.