By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
The danger level heat index forecasted by the state weather bureau has prompted public schools in Iloilo City, including higher education institutions (HEIs), to suspend the conduct of face-to-face classes from April 25 to 26.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, in a Viber message on Wednesday evening, April 24, said he is “constrained to suspend all classes at all levels in both public and private schools and universities” on Tuesday and Friday this week.
Treñas’ statement is due to the two-day heat index forecast of 43 degrees Celsius by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for Iloilo City.
The city government did not issue a new executive order for the suspension of onsite classes but school administrators in the 67 public schools, including the Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus, have suspended face-to-face classes to ensure the safety of students and teaching personnel.
Ma. Luz de los Reyes, Schools Division Office Iloilo City superintendent, told Daily Guardian that “in case children will need to visit school, parents should give consent or accompany children.”
Among the HEIs in the city that have halted face-to-face classes for two days are West Visayas State University, Central Philippine University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, and University of San Agustin.
“While education is a priority for me, the health of my beloved Ilonggos is still of foremost concern to me. Life is more important than education,” Treñas added.
A 43-degree Celsius heat index is categorized as a danger level, which according to PAGASA, could result in individuals experiencing heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and prolonged exposure leading to heat stroke.
In a separate statement, the city mayor urged the Department of Health to prioritize patients affected by the heatwave and actively raise public health awareness during extreme heat conditions.
It can be recalled that in an April 16 press conference, Treñas said he would no longer issue further executive orders for the suspension of face-to-face classes, citing instructions from the Department of Education (DepEd) not to intervene with students’ classes.
The city mayor’s pronouncement came after DepEd on April 12 announced that all public schools nationwide will shift to asynchronous classes or distance learning on April 15 to 16.
“The DepEd has its rules for suspension so we will just follow it and it depends on the school administrators […] If I interfere with that, they will complain. Let’s let them decide for that,” he said.
Hernani Escullar Jr., DepEd-6 information officer, previously said that school administrators can decide on class suspension and the implementation of modular distance learning methods during adverse weather conditions based on previous memorandums of DepEd.
