• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes, from preschool to senior high school (SHS), both in public and private schools in the city until April 30, due to the forecasted extreme heat index.
In Executive Order 026 dated April 29, Benitez said private schools with air-conditioned rooms, and tertiary or college level institutions, may exercise discretion to continue with face-to-face classes.
“As per the DOST PAG-ASA forecast for La Granja station for April 29 and 30, the heat index forecasted will reach as high as 42° and 43° degrees Celsius, respectively, both under the ‘Danger’ classification,” the EO said.
Benitez said that, for the safety and welfare of students of Bacolod, there is a need to declare the suspension of classes on April 29 and 30.
The mayor’s EO supplements the order of the Department of Education to cancel face-to-face classes in all public schools nationwide in the last two days of this month, due to high heat index forecast and the transport strike.
“All public schools nationwide shall implement asynchronous classes/distance learning on April 29 and 30…in view of the latest heat index forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, and the announcement of a nationwide transport strike,” Atty. Michael Wesley Poa, DepEd undersecretary and chief of staff, said in his memorandum to all schools’ division superintendents and regional directors April 28.
Teaching and non-teaching personnel in all public schools shall not be required to report to their respective stations, the memorandum added, although activities organized by regional and schools’ division offices may push through as scheduled, “provided that measures for the safety of all participants have been carefully considered”. | CGC
