President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a new executive order standardizing the suspension and resumption of in-person classes and onsite work in both public and private schools.
Under Executive Order No. 130, signed on October 28, the government established three distinct modes of suspension and resumption during typhoons, flooding, and other weather disturbances: automatic, localized, and granular.
The framework empowers local chief executives and school administrators while ensuring that educational continuity remains a priority. The suspension authority covers the postponement, cancellation, or temporary halt of in-person classes and onsite work, while the resumption authority allows for the reinstatement of activities and the lifting of alternative work arrangements.
The three implementation modes operate under specific guidelines:
- Automatic Suspension: This takes effect immediately without requiring further announcements upon the release of warning advisories, alert levels, or forecasts from authorized agencies such as PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, and the DENR-EMB.
- Localized Suspension: In the absence of an automatic suspension, local chief executives (LCEs) can declare suspensions across specific areas within their jurisdiction based on local risk assessments and prevailing weather conditions.
- Granular Suspension: Schools and learning centers can independently declare suspensions based on site-specific assessments, provided there is no existing national or local government suspension.
According to the EO, “Where a localized suspension remains in effect, granular resumption may be declared with the concurrence of the concerned LCE.”
For granular suspensions initiated by institutions, the order specifies: “An educational institution or learning center may, through its duly authorized official, declare granular suspension, in coordination with the concerned LCE, upon on 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.”
Despite physical class interruptions, the executive order mandates that education must persist.
“The suspension of in-person classes shall not automatically suspend learning,” the EO stated.
Schools are required to enforce learning continuity measures aligned with policies from the Department of Education, CHED, TESDA, the ECCD Council, and other relevant agencies whenever feasible.
Alternative work arrangements must also be implemented for school personnel when practicable.
The Department of Education has been tasked with overseeing, monitoring, and coordinating the overall implementation of the new policy, which aims to balance student safety with uncompromised educational delivery through risk-informed and science-based measures.