Classes halted anew in Iloilo City schools

Public schools in Iloilo City, including higher education institutions (HEIs), have suspended face-to-face classes for two days amid the dangerous heat index forecast by the state weather bureau.

City Mayor Jerry Treñas, in a Viber message on Wednesday evening, April 24, said he is “constrained to suspend all classes at all levels in both public and private schools and universities for Thursday (April 25) and Friday (April 26).”

He cited the two-day heat index forecast of 43 degrees Celsius by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) for Iloilo City.

Despite not issuing a new executive order for the suspension of on-site classes, school administrators in the 67 public schools in the city opted to suspend face-to-face classes as a precautionary measure.

“In case children will need to visit school, parents should give consent or accompany children,” Ma. Luz de los Reyes, SDO Iloilo City superintendent, told

The Manila Times.

Among the HEIs in the city that have suspended in-person classes are West Visayas State University, Central Philippine University, and Iloilo Science and Technology University.

“While education is a priority for me, the health of my beloved Ilonggos is still of foremost concern to me. Life is more important than education,” the city mayor added.

A 43 degrees Celsius heat index is categorized as dangerous, which could result in individuals experiencing heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and prolonged exposure leading to heat stroke.

Treñas also urged the Department of Health to prioritize patients affected by the heat wave and to actively promote public health awareness during the extreme heat conditions.

Treñas had earlier said he will no longer issue further executive orders for the suspension of face-to-face classes, citing instructions from the Department of Education (DepEd) not to intervene with students’ classes.

The city mayor’s pronouncement came after DepEd on April 12 announced that all public schools nationwide will shift to asynchronous classes or distance learning on April 15 to 16. RJAY