THE Teachers’ Dignity Coalition-NCR Teachers Union is pushing for a region-wide, automatic suspension of classes in Metro Manila whenever the heat index reaches critical levels, as reported by PAGASA.

On the first school day of March, only six out of 17 local government units in Metro Manila suspended classes—Valenzuela, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Parañaque, and Manila.

Some of these LGUs only canceled afternoon sessions, resulting in a fragmented response that prompted the TDC-NCRTU to call for a standardized suspension policy to safeguard both students and teachers.

“Metro Manila is a small and compact geographic unit. Implementing a region-wide class suspension should not be as complex as in larger provinces governed by a single governor,” said TDC-NCRTU Vice President and Spokesperson Jim Lester Beleno.

The Department of Education issued Order No. 22, s. 2024, on December 23, 2024, revising class suspension guidelines during disasters and emergencies, including extreme heat conditions. The policy allows class suspensions when the heat index reaches a critical level but leaves the decision to individual LGUs. The TDC-NCRTU argues that this decentralized approach creates inconsistencies in a highly urbanized and interconnected region like Metro Manila.

“We appreciate the intention behind DepEd Order No. 22, but its effectiveness depends on consistent application. We urge DepEd to coordinate with local governments to develop a unified scheme that ensures the safety of all students and school personnel across Metro Manila—not just in selected areas,” Beleno added.

Beleno also cited the challenges of Metro Manila’s interconnected cities. “For example, traveling from South Caloocan to North Caloocan requires passing through Quezon City. This morning, while Caloocan LGU suspended face-to-face classes, Quezon City schools remained open, causing confusion and potential risks due to inconsistent policies,” he explained.

The TDC-NCRTU, along with its mother organization, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition, maintains that extreme weather conditions, such as high heat index levels, should automatically trigger region-wide suspensions.

“A blanket suspension based on a unified regional scheme would eliminate disparities in implementation and ensure a uniform response that prioritizes everyone’s safety,” Beleno emphasized.