SEPT.

13, 2012

NR # 2861B

Probe on cancellation of classes during typhoons sought

A lawmaker has called for a congressional inquiry into the cancellation or suspension of classes during typhoons, flooding and other weather disturbances and calamities. Under House Resolution 2692, Rep. Raymond Palatino (Party-list, Kabataan) said there is a need to assess the effectivity and impact of the existing guidelines on the cancellation or suspension of classes during typhoons. Palatino said the conflicting policy on the suspension of classes in all levels creates problems for students and parents during typhoons and calamities. There is a need to improve the current system being used as basis for cancellation or suspension for the benefit of students and schools in times of disasters, Palatino said. Palatino cited Republic Act 7722, which created the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) which explicitly stated that the governance of higher education institutions shall be independent from the Department of Education on the issue of suspension of classes. Under DepEd Order 28, classes in all public and private schools are automatically suspended without having to wait for an announcement when the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raises Signal No. 1 suspending classes in preschools, Signal No. 2 suspending classes in preschools, elementary and secondary levels and Signal No. 3 suspending classes in all levels. The DepEd Order also stated that in the absence of storm signals, the agency allows localized school suspension by heads of local government units (LGUs). CHED Memorandum Order 15 also automatically suspends classes in higher education during Signal No. 3 and also allows localized suspensions based on the situation in which schools find themselves in during disasters. On the other hand, President Aquino signed Executive Order 66 which said that in the absence of a typhoon signal warning from PAGASA, suspension of classes may be implemented by the LGUs. EO 66 also prescribes that announcements on class suspension should be made not later than 4:30 am of the day of the intended cancellation of classes. During the Habagat rains, many schools announced the cancellation of classes past

4:30 am resulting in students braving the torrential rains and attending class the following day even if there was already a suspension, Palatino said. Palatino said without strengthening such public information dissemination channels, many students will still not be reached by urgent class suspension or cancellation announcements. The late suspension of classes and the varying policies on automatic suspensions endanger the students rights and welfare, as they are forced into a great inconvenience due to government protocol, Palatino said. Students may catch various diseases from wading in flood waters, ranging from flu to the life-threatening leptospirosis, Palatino said. (30) mrs