MANILA (October 16) — Department of Education (DepEd) has cautioned local government units (LGUs) against extended suspension of face-to-face classes, warning that it could disrupt students’ learning and development.
The warning came after Sol Aragones, governor of Laguna, ordered the suspension of in-person classes in all levels, public and private, from October 14 to 31 over fears of a strong earthquake.
DepEd chief media relations officer Dennis Legaspi said while the department respects the authority of LGUs to suspend classes for public safety, such decisions must be “made with balance and prudence.”
“While caution is important, extended suspensions can disrupt learning and affect students’ development. Every decision should reflect both care for safety and commitment to learning continuity,” Legaspi said.
The department will work with schools division offices to ensure alternative learning delivery modes for affected students. LGUs were also urged to “periodically assess whether the suspension is still necessary.”
United Nations Children’s Fund has earlier warned of a “real and widespread learning crisis” in the Philippines, where many students continue to fall behind in reading and math.
Phivolcs: ‘Earthquakes can’t be predicted’
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director Teresito Bacolcol reiterated that no technology can predict earthquakes.
“We understand the concern for public safety, but earthquakes cannot be predicted. There is currently no technology anywhere in the world that can determine exactly when or where a quake will occur,” Bacolcol said.
Amid the suspension, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) asked the provincial government to allow essential face-to-face academic activities to continue, including laboratory classes, fieldwork, and internship rotations. UPLB also ordered strict safety protocols and building inspections.
Rizal suspends classes due to flu uptick
In Rizal, Governor Nina Ynares suspended in-person classes from October 14 to 17 due to a rise in flu-like illnesses. Classes will shift to modular distance learning during the suspension.
Teachers seek health break
Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has urged Education Secretary Sonny Angara to declare a health break for public school teachers from October 27 to 30, citing heavy workloads, overcrowded classrooms, and the impact of recent calamities.
ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo said the break would allow teachers to rest and give schools time to assess infrastructure for quake damage.
Strengthening disaster preparedness
DepEd said it is working closely with Phivolcs to ensure that class suspension decisions are guided by scientific data and localized risk assessments.
Angara said the partnership aims to balance safety with learning continuity, emphasizing that suspension decisions should be “based on science, not fear.”
DepEd is also working with Department of Science and Technology to “over-engineer” schools near fault lines and is planning training programs with Phivolcs on building integrity assessments and emergency response.
A DepEd command center is also being eyed to improve real-time disaster monitoring and coordination.
Under DepEd Order 22, s. 2024, local executives, schools division superintendents, and school heads have the authority to suspend classes based on official advisories and field conditions. Preventive suspensions should activate learning continuity plans such as modular, online, or take-home learning.
“Preparedness must go hand in hand with learning continuity,” Angara stressed.
