MANILA — More than a million students on Wednesday have been affected by suspension of in-person classes by schools in areas that have been experiencing extreme heat.

A report from the Department of Education (DepEd) shows that 3,954 schools from 12 regions have made the declaration to shift to alternative mode of teaching which includes modular learning and online classes, affecting 1,393,806 students.

Here is the list of local government units that made the announcements as of 4 p.m. on April 3, 2024:

NCR - Caloocan City, Malabon City Marikina City, Muntinlupa City, Navotas City, Pasay City, San Juan City
ILOCOS REGION - Pangasinan, Batac City, Dagupan City, Laoag City
CAGAYAN VALLEY - Nueva Vizcaya
CENTRAL LUZON - Bataan, Bulacan, Tarlac, Mabalacat City, Malolos City, Meycauayan City, Olongapo City, San Jose Del Monte City
CALABARZON - Cavite
MIMAROPA - Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Puerto Princesa City
BICOL REGION - ALBAY
WESTERN VISAYAS  - Iloilo City, Bacolod City, Roxas City, Kabankalan City, Silay City, Guimaras, Himamaylan City, Iloilo Province, Bago City, Negros Occidental, Sipalay City, Passi City, San Carlos City
CENTRAL VISAYAS - Lapu Lapu City, Talisay City, Naga City Cebu, Negros Oriental
EASTERN VISAYAS  - Biliran, Southern Leyte, Maasin City
ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA - Zamboanga del Sur, Dapitan City, Dipolog City, Pagadian City
SOCCSKSARGEN - South Cotabato, General Santos City, Sultan Kudarat, Koronadal City, Pagadian City 

"Iyong mga LGUs talagang may authority sila na mag-issue ng executive order suspending the face to face classes due to valid reason," Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said in an interview over Teleradyo Serbisyo.

(The LGUs have an authority to issue an executive order suspending the face to face classes due to valid reason.)

"Ang aming direktiba is only for public schools kasi ang mga private school may mga kanya-kanyang board of trustees yan na nag-de-decide ng management ng kanilang mga eskwelahan. Pero pinapayuhan ng DepEd sila na  pag mataas ang heat index ay tumulad na rin sa mga public school," Bringas added.

(Our directive is only for public schools because private schools have their respective board of trustees that decide on the management of the school. But the DepEd is advising them that when the heat index is high they should follow what the public schools are doing.)

Better classroom ventilation sought as scorching heat forces class suspensions

DEPED: WEAR LIGHT CLOTHING, ENSURE ACCESS TO WATER

Meanwhile, DepEd also advised teachers to wear light and comfortable clothing amid the heat inside the classrooms.

"Pinapayagan ang mga school personnel na huwag munang magsuot ng mga maiinit na uniform. Pwede na silang magsuot ng light material, comfortable clothes provided na they will follow the dress code," Bringas said.

(The school personnel are advised to wear uniforms that are breathable. They can wear clothes that are light and comfortable, provided they follow the dress code.)

Bringas also asked its regional offices to adjust the outdoor activities of students and ensure potable water in schools.

"Kasama sa advisory ng DepEd sa mga regional directors and school superintendents na kailangan meron accessible na potable water sa lahat ng mga paaralan natin," Bringas said.

(It is included in the DepEd advisory that regional directors and school superintendents should make sure there is accessible potable water in all of our schools.)

"Pinayuhan na rin sila na from 10 a.m. or even 9:30 a.m. up to 3 p.m. ay wala munang outdoor activities," the DepEd official also added.

(We also advise them to refrain from conducting outdoor activities between 10 a.m., or even 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)