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Mayors, and no longer DepEd, to announce 'no classes' during storms


The Department of Education is no longer tasked to announce cancellation or suspension of classes in both public and private schools during bad weather conditions. "Parents as well as students don’t have to wait for DepEd to announce suspension of classes since the responsibility now lies with the local government officials,” DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro told the Manila Bulletin. Based on DepEd Order No. 43, series of 2012, if the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will not issue a storm signal, the local government units are responsible for canceling or suspending classes. According to EO 43, concerned local DepEd and private school officials are also expected to establish effective lines of communications with their respective local government units to determine localized cancellation or suspension of classes and work. The DepEd's EO 43 is based on Executive Order No. 66, signed by President Benigno Aquino III last Janauary 9. EO 66 states: "The concerned Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) headed by the local chief executive shall be responsible for announcing the suspension of classes and work in the government offices in the affected areas in coordination with the NDRRMC, through all forms of mass media available under the circumstances." Automatic cancellation rules Meanwhile, the following guidelines shall be followed for the automatic cancellation or suspension of classes in all public and private elementary, secondary and tertiary schools, as well as work in all government offices: a. When Signal No. 1 is raised by PAGASA, classes at the pre-school level, in the affected area, shall be automatically canceled or suspended. b. When Signal No. 2 is raised by PAGASA, classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended, c. When Signal No. 3 or higher is raised by PAGASA, classes at pre-school, elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels, in the affected area, including graduate school, as well as work in all government offices, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended. Signal numbers declared at 10:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. of the following day are deemed automatic cancellation or suspension depending on the appropriate class level. On the other hand, signal numbers declared at 11:00 a.m. automatically calls for cancellation or suspension of afternoon classes, based on the appropriate class level. — LBG/HS, GMA News

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