MANILA (UPDATED) —Several local government units (LGUs) in at least five regions have suspended in-person classes in public and private schools due to extreme heat.

• READ: Suspension of face-to-face classes due to extreme heat allowed: DepEd 

The Department of Education (DepEd) said that schools in these areas shifted to alternative mode of teaching.

These are the LGUs, as of 5:00pm April 1, 2024.

• WESTERN VISAYAS: Iloilo City, Roxas City, Kabankalan City, Silay City, Guimaras, Himamaylan City, Dumangas, Iloilo,  Bago City

• ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA: Pagadian City Pilot School, Buenavista Integrated School

• SOCCSKSARGEN: Municipality of Banga,  Municipality of Tantangan

• ILOCOS REGION: Dagupan City (April 2-4,2024)

• NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION: Quezon City

"Kapag nakita ng school heads na hindi na po conducive sa learning iyong kanilang environment dahil napakainit ay maaari po siyang mag-suspindi ng in person classes at magsu-switch ito automatically sa alternative delivery modes na modular learning, online distance learning, pwede rin po assignment of performance tasks," DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa told ABS-CBN News.

DepEd assured schools on funds that can be used to purchase equipment or appliances that can help fight heat inside classrooms.

"Mayroon naman po tayong binababang mga MOOE [maintenance and other operating expenses] sa ating mga schools para siguraduhin na kung nasira man ang electric fan ay mapagawa nila. Ventilation sa ating schools ay something very important," Poa added.

DepEd is also eyeing "alternative uniforms" that teachers can use during this time of the year.

"Bunsod na rin ng init ng panahon tayo sa DepEd hindi naman tayo tumitigil mag-isip ng paraan na maging komportable hindi lang ang ating mga magaaral kundi pati na rin ang ating mga guro, that is why pinagaaralan na rin natin sa ngayon ang alternative uniform na pwede natin ipasuot  sa ating mga guro para presko naman sila habang nagtuturo sila sa ganitong mainit na panahon," Poa said.

PLIGHT OF TEACHERS

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers National Capital Region (ACT-NCR) on Monday also asked DepEd to look for "urgent solutions"  following reports of  medical emergencies in some schools.

"Marami nagsasabi na talagang nahihilo ang kanilang mga estudyante, nasa clinic, nagdudugo ang ilong at marami rin sa mga teachers  natin ay hina-high blood. Tingin natin kailangan ito ng urgent solution," ACT-NCR Head Ruby Bernardo told ABS-CBN News.

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC), on the other hand, urged DepEd to consider several measures to alleviate extreme heat in schools.

TDC Chairperson Benjo Basas recommended shortening class hours and suspending other programs in schools.

"Puwede namang i-shorten ang klase or magkaroon ng shifting para iwasan ang tirik ng araw, o pagsuutin ng komportableng pananamit ang mga guro at bata. Kapag hindi talaga kinaya at malalagay sa panganib ang kalusugan, that's the time that we employ distance learning modalities," Basas explained.

"Tapos ipatigil muna ang Catch-Up Fridays para hindi na lalo pang makabawas sa limited class days," he added.

Basas also suggested to expedite the transition to the old school calendar wherein classes begin in June.

"Sana i-consider din ng DepEd na i-shorten ang next school year (SY 2024-2025) at tapusin ito ng mid-April para mas mabilis ang transition. Yung Abril at Mayo kasi ang iniiwasan natin eh.  Sa plano ng DepEd baka umabot pa ng dalawa o tatlong taon na may klase tayo ng Abril o Mayo," Basas said.

DepEd earlier released a department order effectively adjusting the start and end of the succeeding school years so that by year 2025, classes will be reverted to the old calendar.