P’nan Town Nixes Classes Every Time Sun Hits Danger Level

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

MANGALDAN, Pangasinan - When the heat index reaches the danger degree Celsius, the mayor here ordered that classes from the elementary to high school in public and privates school be suspended.

Photo courtesy: Inventiva

A report Thursday, for example, from the Department of Science & Technology (DOST)-PAG-ASA that the heat index would reach 46° prompted Mayor Bona Fe D. Parayno to suspend the classes to protect the students.

The action of Parayno was not new because in April 3, 2024 she signed Executive Order No. 2024-019 that instructs the suspension of all face-to-face schoolings in pre-school to high school levels in both public and private schools under the local government here.

DOST-PAG-ASA said that the 46° is under the classification “danger” to humans that would cause cramps, exhaustion, or stroke to those who expose themselves  under the blistering sun.

To those school officials who would continue the direct mode of classes, it is up for them, according to the Mayor, because they have been authorized by the Department of Education (DepEd) based on DepEd Order No. 037 Series of 2022. The order is about the g𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 c𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘳 s𝘶𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 c𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 w𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘪𝘯 s𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘭𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 e𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 n𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 d𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, p𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 o𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 / p𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 i𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 c𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴.

Parayno, however, said that the parents, guardians and the students should coordinate with the school officials to know the mode of learning the children are going to undertake.

Mayor Parayno cautioned her constituents to protect their health and safety under the sizzling heat felt not only in the Philippines but in the other regions of the world.

Earlier, the mayor advice the people here to drink enough water, stay at shaded area, avoid exposing themselves to the merciless sun, wear comfortable dress, use protection from the sun like umbrella, hat and sunglasses. (With reports from Mangaldan PIO)