Students of the Iloilo City National High School arrived early on the first day of classes for School Year 2025-2026 on Monday, June 16, 2025.

Junray Pedro, a Grade 12 student, said he is excited at sets of new learning for the new school year.

“Sobrang excited kasi ga-graduate na sa susunod na taon…patuloy lang sa pag-aaral,” Pedro said.

There were students observed to have had difficulty in looking for their classrooms being newbies.

“Mahiyain kasi siya at hindi alam ang room at ang schedule kung pang-umaga o panghapon,” Arlene Palabrica, a parent, said.

Based on the school’s data, enrollees reached 6,300. The number is lower compared to the previous school year with 7,100.

As of this writing, enrollees in Western Visayas reached a total of 742,498, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) 6.

“Noong time na ang NIR [Negros Island Region] nasa atin, our data that include public, private at SUCs [state universities and colleges] na nag-o-offer ng basic education, meron tayong 1.9 million na learners,” said Hernani Escullar Jr., spokesperson of DepEd 6.

Schools have also braced for the rainy season.

"Ang school namin two levels siya so kung sakali, may matatakbuhan. May second floor pa kami, pwedeng gawing evacuation,” said Dr. Gladys Sayson, principal of Taal Elementary School.

Schools have also implemented protocols on handwashing to pad spread of contagious diseases such as Mpox.

"We already oriented them na mag-ingat dahil number one, nandyan ang Mpox,” Alpha Java, principal of Iloilo City National High School, said.

The day began with the flag-raising ceremony and a briefing program, such as at the Leganes Central Elementary School.

There were parents who accompanied their children to school.

Policemen were visible in the vicinity of campuses to ensure safety and security.

At Pagsangaan Elementary School in Pavia town, Province of Iloilo, one of those who accompanied children to school is Lorela Jusa whose grandchild is in Kindergarten.

“Nag-a-adjust pa sya kasi medyo hindi pa niya gustong iwanan,” Jusa said.

Further, the school braces for floods being in a flood-prone area.

“Mababa ang school, mataas ang kalsada. So na-notice ko talaga na nagfo-flow papunta dito ang tubig,” according to Albena Guillergan, head teacher of Pagsangaan Elementary School.