Four individuals drowned in Calabarzon on Good Friday, according to the head of the Department of Education (DepEd) in the region. The official advised school administrators to consider shifting to modular distance learning and implementing safety measures to protect teachers and students from extreme heat.
Lawyer Alberto Escobarte, director of DepEd-Region 4A, issued Regional Memorandum No. 233-2024 on Monday, instructing school heads to suspend in-person classes and adopt modular distance learning in cases of unfavorable weather conditions, particularly when temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius and above.
The memorandum also emphasized the importance of preventive measures to mitigate high temperatures in classrooms, such as ensuring ventilation, providing access to drinking water, creating shaded areas for breaks, and adjusting schedules to accommodate hot weather.
Escobarte recommended that school officials regularly monitor weather forecasts and collaborate with local government units to develop emergency plans and ensure access to support and resources. The order comes as the state weather bureau predicts dangerous heat indexes exceeding 42 degrees Celsius in various areas across the country.
