Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano announced the suspension of in-person classes in all levels of both public and private schools from March 5 to 6, 2025 (Wednesday to Thursday) due to extreme heat index forecast.
State weather bureau PAGASA expects temperatures in Metro Manila to hit 39 degrees Celsius (°C) on Wednesday and 40°C by Thursday, based on its two-day forecast as of 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 4.
Several local government units (LGUs) in Luzon suspended classes anew on Tuesday due to the high heat index forecast by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In a TV patrol report, the cities of Manila and Quezon City canceled in-person classes across different education levels. The Manila LGU suspended all onsite classes in public and private schools, shifting to alternative learning modes.
Meanwhile, Quezon City suspended face-to-face classes for public and private schools from daycare to senior high school. In Cavite province, Bacoor City suspended in-person classes for preschool through Grade 12.
Bataan also implemented widespread class suspensions, with the municipalities of Abucay, Hermosa, Orani and Samal canceling classes at all levels in both public and private schools.
PAGASA forecast a heat index of 46 degrees Celsius on March 3 and 4, prompting LGUs to take precautionary measures.
The state weather bureau began issuing heat index bulletins on March 1 in anticipation of rising temperatures due to the end of the northeast monsoon or “amihan.”
Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) is considering a unified approach to class suspensions in response to extreme heat.
MMC president and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said he would coordinate with fellow mayors and consult Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes on a possible Metro Manila-wide policy.
“If there will be a consensus, then we can implement it across Metro Manila,” Zamora said in a radio interview Tuesday.
The discussion follows calls from a group of teachers in the National Capital Region (NCR) for an automatic, unified class suspension system, citing inconsistencies in how LGUs have handled in-person learning cancellations.
“It was suspended for the first time due to heat last year. Previously, it was due to a storm, never because of heat. We have to adjust,” Zamora said in a radio interview. “I will consult my fellow mayors.”
Zamora acknowledged the varying responses from LGUs, with some opting for outright suspensions while others shifted to online classes. However, he stressed that Metro Manila mayors retain autonomy in their decisions.
Editor’s Note: This story has been revised. Originally posted with the headline “Walang Pasok: Several LGUs suspend classes anew due to high heat index.”
