Amid dangerously high temperatures, 21 towns and three cities in Pangasinan suspended face-to-face classes as the heat index soared to 47°C on March 28, 2025.
Dagupan City recorded the highest heat index in the country for several days, prompting local mayors to take action to protect students from extreme heat exposure.
According to the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), affected areas include:
- Alcala,
- Calasiao,
- Sto. Tomas,
- Mangaldan,
- San Carlos City,
- Mapandan,
- San Nicolas,
- Manaoag,
- Alaminos City,
- Basista,
- Dagupan City,
- Urbiztondo,
- Bayambang,
- Malasiqui,
- Anda,
- Burgos,
- Sta. Barbara,
- Sual,
- Labrador,
- Aguilar,
- Bani,
- Binmaley,
- Mangatarem; and,
- Bugallon.
Some areas have extended class suspensions until the end of the school year in mid-April.
“Some of the municipalities ay until the end na ng school year, unless kasi na nabigyan naman ng pagkakataon, nabigyan ng discretion sa mga school heads at supervisor upang i-determine nila ‘yung extent of heat,” Cesar Bucsit, spokesperson for the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 1, said.
Despite the suspension, Mangaldan National High School requested permission from the local government to allow morning face-to-face classes, especially for students scheduled for their final grading exams.
“Hindi na kasi natigil ang suspension ng classes. Kailangang humabol ng mga mag-aaral kaya ang sabi basta may waiver kaya pinapipirma namin ang mga magulang,” Eduardo Castillo, the school principal, said.
Parents like Christian Marie Mabaza supported the decision.
“Okay lang po para hindi naman ma-zero ang mga anak namin sa exam, matuto naman sila tsaka half day lang naman,” she said.
The school assured that proper ventilation measures were in place and that large trees surrounding the campus provided additional shade and relief from the heat.
