The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition-NCR Teachers Union (TDC-NCRTU) has called for a unified, automatic suspension of classes across the entire National Capital Region (NCR) based on the high heat index reported by PAGASA.

On the first school day of March, only six out of 17 local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila suspended classes. These LGUs include Valenzuela City, Caloocan City, Las Piñas City, Malabon City, Parañaque City, and Manila, with some announcing suspensions only for afternoon sessions. This fragmented approach prompted the TDC-NCRTU to push for a region-wide suspension scheme to protect learners and teachers from potential health risks.

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 TDC-NCRTU Vice President and Spokesperson Jim Lester Beleno.

The Department of Education (DepEd) issued DepEd Order No. 22, s. 2024, on December 23, 2024, which revised the guidelines for class suspensions during disasters and emergencies, including extreme heat conditions. The order allows for class suspensions when the heat index reaches a critical level but leaves the decision to individual LGUs. TDC-NCRTU argued that relying solely on LGU decisions in a highly urbanized and interconnected area like Metro Manila could lead to inconsistencies.

We appreciate the intention behind DepEd Order No. 22, but its effectiveness depends on consistent application. We urge the DepEd to take the lead in coordinating with local governments to formulate a scheme that would ensure the safety of all students and school personnel of the entire Metro Manila, not just in selected areas, Beleno added.

Beleno underscored the challenges of the current piecemeal suspension, citing the interconnectedness of Metro Manila’s cities. For example, you cannot travel from South Caloocan to North Caloocan without passing through Quezon City. This morning, while Caloocan LGU announced the suspension of face-to-face classes, Quezon City schools continued their classes. This situation would only create confusion and risks caused by inconsistent suspension policies, he explained.

The group, along with its mother organization, the Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC), maintained its earlier stance that extreme weather conditions, such as high heat index levels, should trigger automatic region-wide suspensions.

A blanket suspension based on a unified regional scheme would eliminate disparities in implementation and ensure a uniform response that prioritizes everyones safety, Beleno concluded

With summer temperatures expected to rise further in the coming weeks, the TDC continues to advocate for proactive measures that prioritize health and safety in schools.#

Reference:
Jim Lester Beleno, Vice President and Spokesperson
TDC-NCR Teachers Union (TDC-NCRTU)
0906-2958146