Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has issued updated guidelines for class suspensions in response to extreme weather, earthquakes, and poor air quality, ensuring student safety while maintaining learning continuity.
Belmonte signed a new memorandum circular aligning local protocols with the Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 022 of 2024. The updated policies provide clear, data-driven criteria for suspending classes in public schools.
“Our decisions will always be guided by data and evidence. Class suspensions will be announced based on real-time information from our weather and monitoring systems,” Belmonte said in a statement.
Key suspension guidelines
The Quezon City government has issued the following updated protocols for all public and private schools under its jurisdiction:
1. Weather-Related Suspensions
Based on Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) levels from PAGASA:
- Signal No. 1 – Suspension of kindergarten and child development center classes
- Signal No. 2 – Suspension extended to grades 1 to 10
- Signal No. 3 – All public and private school classes at all levels suspended
Rainfall Warnings:
Orange and Red alerts – Suspension of child development centers, K-12, and alternative learning system (ALS) classes.
Localized Suspensions – If no PAGASA warnings are issued, the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (QCDRRMC) may still suspend classes in specific public schools when necessary.
2. Extreme Heat Suspension
Classes in public schools will be suspended if the iRISE UP system forecasts a heat index of 42°C or higher.
If temperatures reach 40-41°C, schools will implement shortened face-to-face classes or alternative learning modes.
Private schools and higher education institutions may decide independently on suspensions.
3. Earthquake Suspension
- Intensity 6 or higher – Automatic suspension of all public school classes, including ALS.
- Intensity 5 or below – The QCDRRMC or school officials will determine suspensions after inspecting facilities.
4. Poor Air Quality Suspension
Alert Level 3: Suspension of K-12 and ALS classes when 50% of monitoring sites detect very unhealthy or hazardous air quality.
Alert Level 4: Suspension of the same levels when 25% of sites reach Emergency Level Air Quality Index (AQI).
If the Environmental Management Bureau reports an AQI of 91 µg/m³ or higher, all public and private schools will be suspended.
Alternative learning & announcements
To minimize disruptions, schools may shift to online, modular, or blended learning during suspensions. Make-up classes may also be scheduled if needed.
Suspension announcements will generally be made:
- By 5:30 p.m. the day before, whenever possible.
- By 4 a.m. on the day itself for unexpected conditions.
- By 10 a.m. for sudden weather changes requiring mid-day suspensions.
These measures ensure student safety while maintaining education continuity amid extreme conditions, according to the Quezon City government.