• GILBERT P. BAYORAN & CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
In response to state weather bureau’s forecast of a high heat index for two successive days, March 11 and 12, nine local government units in Negros Occidental cancelled classes in both public and private schools.
Aside from highly urbanized Bacolod City, the other Negros Occidental LGUs that ordered the suspension of classes for elementary to high school levels are the cities of Bago, Kabankalan, Silay, Talisay, Himamaylan, and the municipalities of EB Magalona, Murcia, and Hinobaan.
Some tertiary schools in Bacolod City also suspended classes while others resorted to online meeting platforms and home study.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration forecasted a heat index of 41 degrees on March 11 and 40 degrees centigrade on March 12, in Negros Occidental.
Ian Arnold Arnaiz, spokesperson of the Department of Education – Division of Negros Occidental, disclosed on Monday that public schools can resort to modular learning, if online classes are not possible.
“The suspension of classes is part of the responsibility of a school head to ensure that learning is conducive. If not they should find ways for the learners to learn,” Arnaiz stressed.
He reiterated that school heads have the discretion and prerogative as they are the ones who actually know the condition of the areas where the schools are located.
“There are schools located in wooded areas that are cooler despite the prevalent hot temperature, so there is no reason for them to suspend classes. Other schools are located along the coastline that are hotter,” Arnaiz further said.
BACOLOD CITY
Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez ordered the suspension of classes in elementary and secondary levels of both public and private schools/universities in the City of Bacolod from yesterday until today, due to extreme heat index forecast of DOST PAGASA.
“Elementary and secondary levels are encouraged to adopt alternative delivery modes as methods of instruction for their students, while the decision for the tertiary level is at the discretion of their respective colleges or university administrators,” said Benitez.
Executive Order No. 015 dated March 11 signed by the Mayor, said that based on DOST PAGASA forecast for March 11 and 12, the heat index will reach as high as 41 and 40 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Based on effect-based classification issued by DOST PAGASA, for temperatures 33 to 41 degree Celsius, extreme caution is recommended as heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible, further, continuing activity could lead to heat stroke, it said.
Elementary and secondary schools are encouraged to adopt alternative delivery modes as methods of instruction for their students, while the decision for tertiary level is at the discretion of their respective college or university administrators, the order said.
Meanwhile, the Bacolod City College has already started to conduct online classes.
Benitez said he coordinated the matter with the DepEd, which recommended the holding of modular or online classes.
Councilor Claudio Puentevella, chair of the SP Committee on Health, on the other hand, gave assurances that the City Health Office is on top of the situation.*
