Classes were suspended on Thursday, August 6, in all the schools in the NCR and in 22 provinces in Luzon due to the heavy rainfall and strong winds caused by Tropical Storm Maymay and heightened Southwest Monsoon (Habagat). The suspension was broadcast in Memorandum Circular No. 122 handed out by the Office of the President upon the recommendation of the NDRRMC.
The order is issued to alert students, teachers and government officials of the impending danger of heavy rainfall, flooding and other natural hazards from the rain that will strike strong hitters in big parts of Luzon.
Areas Covered by the August 6 Class Suspension
The suspension is for all public and private schools in the National Capital Region, which include all 16 cities and Pateros municipality.
Other provinces are affected in the following regions: Ilocos Norte, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Pampanga, Benguet, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Zambales, Batangas, Nueva Ecija and Occidental Mindoro. Local government will continue to update the public via announcements, please be advised to keep a close eye on its updates.
DepEd Guidelines for Schools
In a Memorandum Circular No. 122, the DepEd has issued guidelines for the temporary closure of all face-to-face classes, co-curricular activities and other campus events in affected areas, as part of the implementation of this Memorandum.
Schools that can facilitate Alternative Delivery Modes will be continuing to learn online and/or be delivering modular activities if connectivity, electricity and local conditions are safe. School administration and staff have been advised to prioritize the care of the children and staff when moving to distance learning.
Universities Shift to Online Learning
Also, several Public Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) such as State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) have either suspended face-to-face classes or administrative activities in areas affected.
Major universities have either deferred ECA, or transitioned eventually to on-line platforms for scheduled class lectures and assessments, where possible, such as the University of Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), Bulacan State University (BulSU), University of Santo Tomas (UST), De La Salle University (DLSU), Ateneo de Manila University, and Far Eastern University.
Stay prepared with the latest weather updates.
When Will Habagat Finally Ease?
Check out this week’s monsoon outlook.
Will Dry Weather Return Soon?
Find the latest monsoon forecast.
How Severe Are Storm Impacts?
Uncover the latest weather disruptions.
Where Is Maymay Heading Next?
Track down the latest storm path.
How Can Rain Mold Be Prevented?
Try these simple clothing care tips.
LGU Advisories and Work Suspensions
If a localized class suspension is necessary due to heavy rain, flood or other hazards that may pose threats to public safety, localized class suspensions may still be declared by local government units outside the areas covered by the Memorandum Circular No. 122.
In the event of a fire, emergency personnel and services, including that of health care, disaster management and essential public services are able to function, though work will stop. In private companies, the working conditions remain largely subject to the discretion of each employer: many companies are likely to adopt flexible working or home working opportunities.
FAQs
What was the reason for August 6 being a “suspension” day?
The majority of schools were closed as Tropical Storm Maymay and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) affected local weather activities.
What is the area of the suspension?
The suspension is on the National Capital Region and 22 provinces in Luzon – in Regions I, CAR, Region II, Region III, CALABARZON and MIMAROPA.
Will the schools hold online classes?
If local conditions, electricity and Internet cannot be found, schools with Alternative Delivery Modes may have the option to provide learning activities via online or modular instruction.
