Some students in Dagupan City returned to classrooms on Monday, August 24, 2026, after three weeks of class suspensions caused by recent storms and the southwest monsoon, but many schools continued to see low attendance as rains persisted.

Camille Dela Cruz from Barangay Bacayao Sur sent her kindergarten and Grade 2 children to school early in the morning. Because floodwaters remained in their area, she made one child wear boots and carried the other to keep the child from wading through the water.

“Binabantayan ko na lang sila, kailangan nang pumasok, matagal nang walang pasok,” Dela Cruz said.

Dagupan City implemented a granular, or school-based, suspension of classes on Monday.

According to the Schools Division Office of Dagupan City, 30 schools resumed in-person classes, while face-to-face classes remained suspended in other schools.

Dr. Marciano Soriano Jr., superintendent of the SDO-Dagupan City, said school principals can decide whether to suspend classes based on conditions in their schools and communities.

“Ang ating mga principal ay may kapangyarihan na mag-suspend ng klase kasi sila naman nakakaalam sa sitwasyon sa school at sa kanilang lugar,” Soriano said.

However, continued rain kept attendance low in some schools.

At West Central Elementary School 1, only about 20 percent of learners attended classes on Monday.

“Yung iba may mga modules naman dahil hindi sila nakakapasok,” Engr. Conrad Don De Vera, project development officer 1 at the school, said.

The division office said it continues to monitor students who have yet to return to school. Schools have also provided modules so learners can continue studying at home while face-to-face classes remain suspended in their areas.