DepEd order on automatic suspension of classes yet to take effect

Vice President Sara Duterte's department order automatically suspending classes in areas under storm warning signals, rainfall and flood warnings, has yet to take effect, the Department of Education said on Friday.

The department made the clarification after it released and posted on its website on Thursday DepEd Order 37, which the vice president signed in her capacity as secretary of education.

“The DepEd Order No. 37, series of 2022 is not yet in effect since it has not been filed in the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) of the UP Law Center which requires a wet signature," the DepEd said in a statement.

"It was released as an advance copy in the DepEd website with an electronic signature,” it added.

The DepEd said it would take down the DO from its website and publish it again following the filing requirement in the ONAR.

It added the DO was a matter taken up during the last cabinet meeting, including the request to amend EO 66 "to allow the DO to govern cancellation and suspension of classes."

The order provides that classes are suspended in areas placed under Signal Nos. 1, 2 ,3, 4, or 5 by PAGASA.

Based on the department order, classes will also be suspended in schools in areas under a Yellow, Orange, or Red Rainfall Warning, or Flood Warning by PAGASA.

Schools are obligated to keep the students and personnel inside if traveling becomes unsafe.

Local chief executives will also decide on the suspension of classes in cases where there are strong winds, torrential rains, or floods in specific or all areas of the LGU, but are not covered by the PAGASA warning. —NB, GMA News