Marikina mayor orders automatic class suspension during high heat index

Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro issued an executive order for automatic suspension of face-to-face classes in all school levels once a dangerous heat index is forecast in Metro Manila.

On March 4, Marikina City suspended face-to-face classes in all levels, both public and private schools, due to a high heat index expected to peak at 43°C.

However, the Department of Education (DepEd) has reminded schools to implement Department Order No. 22, which states there is no automatic class suspension due to extreme heat.

Under Department Order No. 22, issued in December 2024, LGUs can suspend classes for their areas, provided that schools will shift to modular distance learning, performance tasks, projects, or make-up classes.

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition stated that relying on LGUs to suspend classes during high heat index warnings is ineffective and called for region-wide suspensions, urging DepEd to lead coordination for a unified scheme.

Other areas that announced class suspensions for March 4 include Quezon City, Bacoor City, Cavite, several municipalities in Bataan, and Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Pasay City announced the suspension of classes in all levels in public and private schools on March 5 to 6 due to a high heat index forecast by PAGASA.

The Department of Health (DOH) cautioned the public about the risk of heat-related illnesses and advised staying hydrated, while PAGASA indicated the warm and dry season might start by mid-March to April.