LGUs in charge of class suspensions amid weather changes, DepEd reminds schools

As the country navigates another school year under shifting climate patterns, Education Secretary Sonny Angara reiterated that local government units (LGUs) are now responsible for announcing class suspensions based on real-time weather conditions.

“Hindi na sa amin po 'yan (class suspension announcements), nasa local governments,” Angara told reporters in an ambush interview on Monday, the first day of School Year 2025–2026.

(That’s no longer under us — it’s with the local governments.)

Previously, automatic suspension guidelines were followed—for example, kinder classes would be canceled with just a Signal No. 1 warning. But under the new policy, the Department of Education (DepEd) has given schools and LGUs more discretion based on actual conditions on the ground.

“Dati ‘pag naabutan ng Signal No. 1, cancel kaagad ang kinder. Iniba na natin ’yan. Depende na sa actual weather condition sa bawat lungsod,” Angara said.

(Before, when Signal No. 1 was declared, kinder was immediately canceled. We’ve changed that. It now depends on the actual weather condition in each city.)

"Ang request din ng ibang paaralan, mabigyan pa sila ng mas malaking uwang. Kapag hindi naman talaga malakas [ang ulan], especially private schools, huwag sana mag-cancel agad.”

(Some schools also requested more leeway. If the rain isn’t really that strong — especially in private schools — hopefully, they don’t cancel right away.) 

This shift aims to avoid unnecessary disruptions in learning, especially in areas where weather conditions are manageable.

Angara also expressed strong support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to shift the academic calendar closer to the rainy season’s end—moving back the school opening to June.

“Mas maganda ang school calendar ngayon,” he said. 

(The school calendar is better now.) 

“Good choice na i-move ng Presidente ang school year,” he added.

(It was a good choice by the President to move the school year.)

The school calendar adjustment and decentralized suspension guidelines come amid concerns over rising temperatures, frequent flooding, and classroom shortages. 

According to DepEd data, over 27 million learners are expected to return to school this year.

Despite logistical challenges in some areas, Angara emphasized that improving student safety and ensuring continuous learning remain the department’s top priorities. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News