Ormoc suspends in-person classes

Due to extreme heat

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — Face-to-face classes in public schools in Ormoc City have been suspended since Tuesday due to rising temperatures.

The heat index in the city was recorded at 43.1 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and 42 degrees on Tuesday and yesterday.

Education officials in Ormoc suspend face-to-face classes when the heat index reaches 42 degrees Celsius.

The Ormoc City disaster risk reduction and management office cited an advisory of the state weather bureau that a heat index of 41 to 54 degrees Celsius is dangerous.

Nilo Eder, Department of Education (DepEd)-Tacloban schools division information officer, said school heads  have the authority to suspend in-person classes and return to blended or modular distance learning during unfavorable weather and environment.

Eder said face-to-face classes in this city were supposed to be suspended, also due to extreme heat, but DepEd decided to assess the situation first.

“If the pupils are extremely affected, suspension of face-to-face classes must be implemented and (the school must) return to blended learning system,” he said.

Eder said he requested concerned school supervisors to submit situational reports, citing incidents when students fainted due to the heat.

Students exposed to pesticide

Meanwhile, in Maguindanao del Norte, classes at the Mirab Elementary School in Upi town are suspended until today after 75 pupils were hospitalized on Wednesday due to exposure to pesticide.

The students complained of headache, dizziness and nausea.

Barangay officials said farmers were spraying pesticide in farm lots adjacent to the school when the incident occurred.

Upi Mayor Rona Piang-Flores said the students were in stable condition at the Datu Blah Sinsuat District Hospital.

The Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence is helping authorities conduct an investigation into the incident. – John Unson