'Walang pasok' powers amid site-specific conditions given to schools by Marcos EO

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order (EO) that gives schools an authority to independently declare onsite class suspensions during bad weather or hazardous conditions.

Under EO No. 130, schools can impose granular suspension even when there is no suspension declared by national or local government.

“In the absence of an applicable automatic suspension or localized suspension declared by the concerned LCE (local chief executive), an educational institution or learning center may, through its duly authorized official, declare granular suspension, in coordination with the concerned LCE, upon the determination that an actual or imminent threat to the safety, health, or welfare of learners and personnel exists based on documented site-specific conditions,” the EO read.

Aside from granular suspension, schools may automatically suspend onsite classes and work upon issuance by PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau of any warning, advisory, alert level, and forecasts.

Moreover, local officials may declare suspensions based on the specific, verified disaster or risk levels within their respective city, municipality, or province.

However, the EO provides that schools should implement learning continuity measures despite the suspension of in-person classes or activities.

“Educational institutions and learning continuity measures consistent with the policies of the ECCD Council, DepEd, CHED TESDA, and other agencies operating or supervising specialized educational institutions and learning centers, to ensure that learning continues despite the suspension of in-person classes,” it read.

Further, EO No. 130 also allows individual schools to seek the early resumption of classes ahead of an LGU-wide order, provided a documented site-specific assessment proves the school grounds are safe and the local mayor or governor concurs.

Amid the threat of El Nino, the Department of Education said a school can suspend both physical and online classes once the local temperature hits 42 degrees Celsius, upon coordination with the concerned local government.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1007485/deped-classes-suspended-once-heat-index-hits-42degc-but-coordination-with-lgu-needed/story/