DepEd tells LGUs to exercise 'balance and prudence' in suspending classes
The Department of Education urged local government units to exercise "balance and prudence" in suspending classes.
This came after Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones suspended face-to-face classes in all levels in public and private schools in the province from Oct. 14 to 31 to give way to earthquake preparedness efforts.
Instead, schools will adopt an alternative delivery mode including online classes and modular learning.
"Ito po ay para matiyak ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral at makapaghanda din tayo ng mga plano," she said in a statement.
She added that the city government will inspect school buildings and prepare disaster teams.
DepEd suspended face-to-face classes on Oct. 13 and 14 in public schools across Mero Manila to give way to structural inspections and ensure the safety and health of students and teachers.
In an Oct 13. advisory, DepEd noted that it respects the authority of LGUs to suspend classes in the interest of public safety but also called on them to practice balance.
"This responsibility must be exercised with balance and prudence. While caution is important, extended suspensions can disrupt learning and affect students' development. Every decision should reflect both care for safety and commitment to learning continuity," it said.
The agency added that it is coordinating with Schools Division Offices to ensure that alternative delivery modes are deployed to affected learners.
"We are also encouraging local governments to periodically assess whether the suspension is still necessary for public safety," it ended.
Aragones has yet to respond to DepEd's advisory.
Earthquakes jolt the country
On Sept. 30, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake shook Bogo City, Cebu, causing over 9,000 aftershocks and leaving at least 71 dead. Another magnitude 6 tremor struck southwest of the same city in the early hours of Oct. 13.
A magnitude 4.4 quake rattled Baguio City and La Union on Oct. 9.
Over in Mindanao, two offshore earthquakes—with magnitudes 7.4 and 6.8—occurred on Oct. 10 within hours of each other off the coast of Davao Oriental.
The next day, a magnitude 5 tremor jolted San Antonio, Zambales.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said that the recent earthquakes, while taking place within days of each other, are not connected.
Phivolcs said earthquakes are to be expected in the Philippines as it is seismically active. The institute also dismissed rumors about the coming "big one" or a magnitude-8 or -9 earthquake. It is impossible to ascertain the location, time, and intensity of any earthquake, they said.
