THE DEPARTMENT of Education released updated guidelines on the suspension of classes and work in schools during natural disasters and calamities.

DepEd Order 37, signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio covers students and employees in public schools as well as all personnel in its central, regional and division offices.

“In times of disasters and calamities, safeguarding the learners and personnel from unnecessary physical dangers that they may be exposed to, and protecting their constitutional rights to life, health, safety, and property, remain to be the department’s paramount consideration,” the DepEd chief said.

Under the guidelines, classes, whether in-person or online, are automatically suspended in areas placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals 1, 2 ,3, 4, or 5 by the weather bureau.

Classes will also be suspended in areas under Yellow, Orange, or Red Rainfall Warning, or Flood Warning.

If the storm signal, rainfall or flood warning was issued when classes have already begun, schools shall immediately suspend classes and work and send everyone home.

Schools are, however, obligated to keep the students and personnel inside if traveling is unsafe for them.

Local chief executives will also decide on the suspension of classes in cases where there are strong winds, torrential rains, or floods in specific or all areas in their town or city but are not covered by the PAGASA warning.

Private schools, community learning centers, state and local universities and colleges have the option to follow the department order.

Meanwhile, automatic cancellation applies in areas where an earthquake with intensity 5 and above has been declared by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

For earthquakes with intensity 4 or below, LGUs shall decide on the cancellation or suspension of classes.

School principals may also make this decision at any intensity scale if they assess that a building or any other structure may collapse or was found to have major damage.