April 22 - Guidelines on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices

April 22 - Guidelines on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices Due to Typhoons, Flooding, Other Weather Disturbances, and Calamities


1. The cancellation or suspension of classes and work in the Department of Education (DepEd) due to typhoons, flooding, other weather disturbances and calamities is governed by Executive Order (EO) No. 66, s. 2021 titled Prescribing Rules on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices Due to Typhoons, Floods and Otter Weather Disturbances, Calamities as operationalized by DepEd Order (DO) No. 43, s. 2012 titled Guidelines on the Implementation of Executive Order No. 66. By safeguarding learners and personnel from unnecessary physical dangers that they may be exposed to, these policies protect the constitutional rights to life, health, safety, and property in times of calamities.

2. In its commitment to ensure teaching and learning continuity while looking after the health, safety, and well-being of its learners, teachers, and personnel, DepEd issued DO 012, s. 2O2O titled Adoption of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) for School Year (SY) 2020-2021 in Light of the COWD-19 Pandemic. DepEd has also issued DO 011, s. 2O2O titled the Revised Guidelines on Alternative Work Arrangements in the Department of Education During the Period of State of National Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic. Through these policies, the Department has adopted distance learning modalities and alternative work arrangements, which minimize the health and safety risks brought about not only by the pandemic, but also by typhoons, flooding, and other weather disturbances that learners and teachers might be exposed to.

3. In addition to these policies, the Department recognizes that the suspension of classes and work during emergencies remain to be necessary in upholding physical and mental well-being. Thus, the application of DO 43, s. 2012 is suspended until further notice; and in its place, the enclosed Guidelines on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices Due to Typhoons, Flooding, Other Weather Disturbances, and Calamities are adopted.

4. For more information, please contact the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, 2nd Floor, Mabini Building, Department of Education, Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City through email at drrmo@deped.gov.ph or at telefax number lo2l 8637-4933.

5. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.

GUIDELINES ON THE SUSPEIYSION OF WORK AND CLASSES

1. Automatic Cancellation/Suspension of Classes and Work

Cancellation and suspension of classes shall be based on the weather bulletins issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), particularly the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) as follows:

a. When TCWS No. I (i.e. weather disturbance is expected in 36 hours) is raised by PAGASA, public and private kindergarten classes, regardless of learning delivery modality in the affected areas, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

Teaching school personnel, including ALS teachers, solely handling cancelled or suspended classes are not required to report to work, regardless of working arrangement adopted by the school, in consideration of the work/service that they have to render during make-up classes.

Non-teaching school personnel and Schools Division, Regional, and Central Office personnel shall be required to report to work under applicable working arrangements as determined by the concerned Head of Officer, consistent with the relevant provisions of DO No. 011, s. 2020 (Revised Guidelines on Alternative Work Arrangements in the Department of Education During the Period of State of National Emergency Due to COWD-|9 Pandemic).

Central, Regional, Schools Division Office, and teaching and/or non-teaching school personnel who are members of DRRM Teams shall continue to render the necessar5r services, guided by the succeeding provisions on the activation of DRRM Teams.

Heads of private schools, who may adopt the foregoing provisions, shall exercise discretion on the appropriate work arrangement for their teaching and non-teaching personnel.

b. When TCWS No. 2 (i.e. weather disturbance is expected in 24 hours) is raised by PAGASA, public and private kindergarten, elementary and secondary (1.e. Junior and Senior High School classes, regardless of learning delivery Modality in the affected areas, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

Teaching school personnel, including ALS teachers, solely handling cancelled or suspended classes are not required to report to work, regardless of working arrangement adopted by the school, in consideration of the work/service that they have to render during make-up classes

Non-teaching school personnel and Schools Division, Regional, and Central Office personnel shall be required to report to work under applicable working arrangements as determined by the concerned Head of Office, consistent with the relevant provisions of DO No. 01 1, s. 2020.

Central, Regional, Schools Division Office, and teaching and/or non-teaching school personnel who are members of DRRM Teams shall continue to render the necessary services, guided by the succeeding provisions on the activation of DRRM Teams.

Heads of private schools, who may adopt the foregoing provisions, shall exercise discretion on the appropriate work arrangement for their teaching and non-teaching personnel.

c. When TCWS No. 3 or higher (i.e. weather disturbance is expected 18 hours or less) is raised by PAGASA, classes in all levels, regardless of learning delivery modalities used by elementary and secondary schools; and work ln all DepEd offices, regardless of work arrangement, in the affected areas shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

Central, Regional, Schools Division Office, and teaching and/or non-teaching school personnel who are members of DRRM Teams shall continue to render the necessar5r services, guided by the succeeding provisions on the activation of DRRM Teams.

Heads of private schools shall exercise discretion relative to the work arrangement of their DRRM personnel.

2. Localized Cancellation/Suspension of Classes and Work for Natural and / or Human-Induced Calamities

Localized cancellation/ suspension of classes and work due to natural and/or human-induced calamities, in both public and private schools, regardless of learning delivery modality, and work in government offices shall be at the discretion of local chief executives in their capacity as chairpersons of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC).

In cases where only classes are suspended, non-teaching and teaching school personnel, including ALS teachers, solely handling cancelled or suspended classes are not required to report to their work, regardless of working arrangement adopted by the school. For private schools, the school heads shall exercise discretion relative to the reporting of their teaching and non-teaching personnel. Regional and Schools Division Office personnel may be required to report to work under applicable working arrangements as determined by the Regional Director or Schools Division Superintendent, respectively.

However, regional, schools division, and teaching and/or non-teaching school personnel who are members of DRRM Teams shall continue to render the necessary services, guided by the succeeding provisions on the activation of DRRM Teams.

In the event that face-to-face classes are already allowed, heads of schools, both public and private, and Community Learning Centers, may likewise cancel or suspend classes done through face-to-face learning and on-site work when urgent action is needed to prevent loss of life or bodily harm. 

In such cases, they shall immediately inform the concerned Schools Division Office and Local Government Unit through the City or Municipal DRRMC.

The resumption of classes for LGU-declared localized cancellation/suspension shall be decided by the Local Chief Executive.

Such resumption shall be made in coordination between the Local Chief Executive and the Schools Division Superintendent. Prior arrangements or agreements may be made between the Schools Division Superintendent and the Local Chief Executive to establish mechanisms and parameters on the resumption of classes, consistent with governing law, rules, and health and safety protocols. Varying contexts, challenges, and readiness, and safety of communities and offices shall be considered in the determination of the resumption of classes, which may differ for each learning delivery modality or school.

The resumption of classes cancelled or suspended by heads of schools shall be decided by the Schools Division Superintendent, upon the recommendation of the concerned school head in coordination with the Local Government Unit.

3. Adjustments to Learning Delivery Due to Suspensions 

With reference to DO No. 0l2, 2020 or the Adoption of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan for SY 2020-21 in Light of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, DepEd Memorandum No. 392, s. 2010 or the Guidelines in Giving Homework or Assignments, and OUCI Memorandum 3O7, s. 2020 or the Suggested Measures to Foster Academic Ease During the COWD-I9 Pandemic, it is suggested that learners may not be asked to engage in any school-related activities during class suspensions, unless by and through their own initiative.



No comments