Region-wide class suspensions sought during heat warnings

Suspension of classes must be enforced region-wide when the state weather bureau reports danger-level heat warnings, according to public school teachers in Metro Manila.

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With many cities failing to suspend classes during Monday's heatwave warning, relying on the decision of local government units (LGUs) to suspend classes during the summer will not ensure the protection of learners and teachers, the Metro Manila union of the Teachers' Dignity Coalition said.

"Metro Manila is a small and compact geographic unit. Implementing a region-wide class suspension should not be as complex as in larger provinces governed by a single governor," said union vicepresident Jim Lester Beleno.

Six of 17 LGUs in Metro Manila suspended classes following the dangerous heatwave forecast by the state weather bureau: Valenzuela, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Parañaque and Manila.

Some cities suspended classes in the afternoon.

The Department of Education (DepEd)’s mechanism for class suspension is ineffective, the TDC said, as it leaves the decision solely on the LGU.

“We urge the DepEd to take the lead in coordinating with LGUs to formulate a scheme that would ensure the safety of all students and school personnel in Metro Manila, not just in selected areas,” Beleno said.

A blanket suspension based on a unified regional scheme will eliminate disparities in implementation and ensure a uniform response, the TDC noted.

In Pangasinan, the town of Calasiao suspended classes yesterday amid the projected danger-level heat index in the afternoon.