By Mariela Angella Oladive
Over 4,000 schools in Western Visayas have suspended face-to-face (F2F) classes as Tropical Storm Kristine continues to bring severe weather to the region, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) Regional Office VI.
Heavy rains and strong winds prompted local authorities to shift 1,713,654 learners to the Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM).
As of 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 24, the following schools have transitioned to ADM due to class suspensions:
- Schools Division Office (SDO) Cadiz City: 69 schools (41,697 learners)
- SDO Capiz: 446 schools (115,311 learners)
- SDO Escalante City: 41 schools (26,287 learners)
- SDO Negros Occidental: 544 schools (279,728 learners)
- SDO Bacolod City: 69 schools (112,321 learners)
- SDO Silay City: 39 schools (32,295 learners)
- SDO Iloilo: 1,172 schools (428,179 learners)
- SDO Kabankalan City: 91 schools (56,474 learners)
- SDO San Carlos City: 65 schools (30,182 learners)
- SDO Antique: 541 schools (142,806 learners)
- SDO Himamaylan City: 54 schools (27,520 learners)
- SDO Roxas City: 50 schools (37,436 learners)
- SDO Iloilo City: 66 schools (77,686 learners)
- SDO Aklan: 379 schools (123,229 learners)
- SDO Victorias City: 26 schools (15,427 learners)
- SDO Sipalay City: 48 schools (9,320 learners)
- SDO La Carlota City: 30 schools (17,642 learners)
- SDO Bago City: 44 schools (36,700 learners)
- SDO Guimaras: 115 schools (38,057 learners)
- SDO Sagay City: 66 schools (44,565 learners)
- SDO Passi City: 45 schools (20,792 learners)
DepEd Region VI also issued an advisory suspending operations at 2:00 p.m. This followed an announcement from the Iloilo City Government urging shortened office hours to ensure the safety of employees and the public.
DepEd has advised the public to remain vigilant and monitor further announcements regarding class schedules and weather updates.
Local authorities continue to monitor the situation as Tropical Storm Kristine is expected to bring more rain and potential flooding across the region.
Parents and students are encouraged to prioritize safety and follow official advisories.