DepEd reiterates guidelines for class suspensions during typhoons

In light of a looming La Niña and at the start of the rainy season, which in the Philippines spans from June to September, the Department of Education reiterated Friday some guidelines on the suspension of classes.

In an advisory, the DepEd said that "classes in affected areas are automatically suspended based on storm signals from PAGASA, while local government units (LGUs)—NOT the DepEd—decide on and announce class suspensions during calamities in the absence of a storm signal."

Also it said that cancellation and suspension of classes are observed based on PAGASA's storm signals bulletin.

The following are the guidelines for automatic suspensions of classes based on PAGASA's storm signals:

1) Signal No.1 - public and private pre-school and kindergarten classes;

2) Signal No. 2 - public and private pre-school, kindergarten, elementary and high school classes (including Senior High School); and

Signal No. 3 - classes in all levels.

Storm signal warnings declared at 10 p.m. and 4:30 a.m. of the following day will reflect on the cancellation and suspension of classes for the whole day in appropriate levels in affected areas.

Storm signal warnings declared by PAGASA at 11 a.m. will automatically cancel the same day’s afternoon classes.

In the absence of storm signal warnings, LGU officials are expected to make an announcement not later than 4:30 a.m. for a whole-day cancellation, or not later than 11 a.m. for afternoon  suspension.

The guidelines are based on DepEd Order No. 43, s. 2012, which contains the Guidelines on the Implementation of Executive Order No. 66. See full EO via http://www.deped.gov.ph/orders/do-43-s-2012. —LBG, GMA News