To provide clearer guidelines on suspending classes due to extreme heat, the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has issued a memorandum outlining specific temperature thresholds.

This after several schools in the province have suspended classes as the heat index continues to rise, reaching an average of 42°C over the past three days.

"Kapag ang forecasted heat index ng PAGASA ay 45 degree Celsius or below, ang local chief executive ang may karapatan na mag-suspend ng classes o mag-shift sa alternative delivery mode of instruction," Assistant DRRM Officer Avenix Arenas said.

If the forecasted heat index reaches 46°C to 51°C, all public schools are required to implement the Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) of instruction.

If the heat index exceeds 52°C, class suspensions will be automatic.

The Schools Division Office I of Pangasinan has adopted these measures.

However, according to Sherry Lyn Orjalo, SMN-DRRM of SDO I Pangasinan, schools must still wait for official suspension announcements.

"In DepEd order, walang automatic suspension, nakasalalay ito sa mga LCE and our school heads. Pagdating sa class suspension, hinihintay nila yung issuance kung magkakaroon ng suspension of classes," she said.

As of March 20, 2025, 10 towns under SDO-I have suspended classes due to the extreme heat: Bayambang, Malasiqui, Anda, Sual, Burgos, Basista, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Labrador, and Urbiztondo.

For private schools, class suspensions or shifting to ADM will depend on their policies and the heat index forecast from PAGASA.