Dagupan, Urdaneta suspend F2F classes due to extreme heat
URDNAETA City Mayor Julio Parayno III, despite being barred from entering the city hall with the implementation of his one-year preventive suspension, issued a memorandum from his home on March 26 suspending face-to-face classes for public primary and secondary schools from March 26 to 28 due to extreme heat that was expected to hit 47°C last week.
Memorandum 2025-MC-21 addressed to all public as well as private school heads was issued following the forecast of state weather bureau PAGASA that Urdaneta’s heat index will reach a high of 47°C, considered a dangerous level that could cause heat cramps, exhaustion, and heat stroke.
For private primary and secondary schools along with all tertiary-level institutions, discretion on the use of alternative learning modes was left to the school management.
In Dagupan City where the heat index was the same, Mayor Belen Fernandez also suspended face-to-face classes in all levels of public and private schools from March 26 to 28.
The city’s heat index has consistently been among the highest throughout the country since the start of this month.
In her two successive executive orders addressed to all public and private school heads, Fernandez also emphasized that prolonged exposure to extreme heat conditions may endanger the health and well-being of students and educators, especially in classrooms that lack adequate ventilation and cooling systems.
Educational institutions in the city were encouraged to adopt online, modular or other alternative learning methods to ensure continued education while safeguarding the health of students and faculty.
The Department of Health-Center for Health Development Ilocos Region (DOH-CHD 1) reminded everyone to stay hydrated and remain indoors as much as possible from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. when the heat of the sun is at its highest.
Dr. Reuel Bobis, spokesperson of DOH-CHD 1, said heat cramps and heat exhaustion are prevalent during hot days and prolonged activity and exposure under the sun could lead to heat stroke.
He, however, reported that no person has so far been hospitalized due to the extreme heat. (Leonardo Micua)
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