QC gov’t updates guidelines for class suspension due to weather, disaster

The Quezon City Government has issued a memorandum updating the localized guidelines for class suspensions due to inclement weather, extreme heat, earthquakes, and poor air quality.

QC Mayor Joy Belmonte released Memorandum Circular No. 3 Series of 2025, which aligns the local government unit’s protocols with the Department of Education’s order.

Under the updated guidelines, class suspensions due to tropical cyclones will follow the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) levels issued by PAGASA.

The following classes will be suspended depending on the TCWS level:

• TCWS No. 1: classes in public Child Development Centers and Kindergarten will be automatically suspended.
• TCWS No. 2: public Child Development Centers, Kindergarten, and Grades 1 to 10. 
• TCWS No. 3: all public and private schools at all levels will be suspended.

The QC government also allows classes to be suspended in public Child Development Centers, Kindergarten, Grades 1 to 12, and the Alternative Learning System (ALS) during Orange and Red Rainfall Warnings.

Under the updated guidelines, the QC Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (QCDRRMC) is also authorized to declared localized class suspensions for specific public schools if PAGASA has not issued weather-related warnings.

Extreme heat

For extreme heat conditions, public school classes in Child Development Centers, Kindergarten, Grades 1 to 12, and ALS will be suspended if the iRISE UP system forecasts a heat index of 42°C or higher.

Should the forecast is between 40°C and 41°C, limited face-to-face classes with shortened hours and alternative learning modes will be implemented.

The QC government allows the higher education institutions and private schools to decide on their class suspensions due to extreme heat.

According to the QC government, announcements are generally made at 5:30 PM the day before.

Earthquakes

For earthquakes, all public school classes, including ALS, will be suspended in the event of an Intensity VI or higher.

For Intensity V and below, the QCDRRMC or individual public schools may declare localized suspensions after conducting inspections of school facilities.

Poor Air Quality

Apart from cyclones, air, and earthquakes, the QC government also provides protocols for class suspensions due to poor air quality.

Automatic suspension will be implemented in public schools from Child Development Centers to Grade 12 and ALS when the Quezon City Air Quality Monitoring Network reaches Alert Level 3, which occurs when 50% or more monitoring sites register air quality at Very Unhealthy, Acutely Unhealthy, or Emergency Levels.

Classes at the same levels will also be suspended at Alert Level 4 when 25% or more monitoring sites register an Emergency Level Air Quality Index (AQI).

Should the DENR-EMB reports an AQI Emergency Level, where PM 2.5 levels reach 91 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter), all public and private schools at all levels will be suspended.

Unless otherwise specified, the QC government said higher education institutions and private basic education institutions may incorporate the localized guidelines into their emergency response procedures as they see fit.

ALS, Make-up classes

In case of suspensions, the QC government urges schools to implement alternative learning methods such as online, modular, limited face-to-face or blended instruction during face-to-face class suspensions.

Make-up classes may also be scheduled to compensate for missed instructional hours.

The QC government said class suspension announcements may be issued at any time depending on advisories from national government agencies and local assessments.

The local government units said announcements will be made no later than 4:00 AM on the day of suspension.

In cases of sudden extreme weather changes, suspensions will be declared no later than 10:00 AM. —VAL, GMA Integrated News