DepEd Order No. 43, s. 2012 sets out how DepEd regional, division, and school officials carry out Executive Order (EO) No. 66, dated January 9, 2012. EO No. 66 is titled “Prescribing Rules on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices Due to Typhoons, Flooding, Other Weather Disturbances and Calamities.” The order makes the process for suspending classes and work simpler and clearer. Its goal is to keep pupils, students, teachers, government workers, and the public out of needless danger during typhoons, floods, and other disasters.
The guidelines apply to regional, division, and school officials of both public and private schools.
On this page 9 sections
Key points
- Classes are suspended automatically based on the typhoon signal that PAGASA raises for an area.
- When there is no typhoon signal, the local chief executive decides on suspending classes and work, acting as chairperson of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC).
- A school head may cancel classes only when urgent action is needed to prevent loss of life or bodily harm.
- DepEd officials do not make their own announcements. They only confirm what PAGASA or the local chief executive has already announced.
- Parents have the final say on whether their children go to school when travel feels unsafe, even if classes are not suspended.
- Make-up classes are held on Saturdays or on weekdays after the end of the original school calendar.
Automatic cancellation or suspension of classes
All DepEd officials and personnel must watch the weather bulletins of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). PAGASA releases these through radio, television, and the internet.
| PAGASA signal | What is automatically cancelled or suspended in affected areas |
|---|---|
| Signal No. 1 | Public and private preschool and kindergarten classes |
| Signal No. 2 | Public and private preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and secondary classes |
| Signal No. 3 | Work in all DepEd offices |
Timing of signals:
- A signal declared at 10:00 p.m. or at 4:30 a.m. the next day means classes at the matching levels are suspended for the whole day.
- A signal declared at 11:00 a.m. means afternoon classes at the matching levels are suspended.
Teachers whose classes are suspended may also leave their stations. This takes into account the extra work they will do during make-up classes. Heads of private schools decide for their own teaching personnel.
Localized suspension when there is no typhoon signal
When PAGASA has raised no typhoon signal, local chief executives may suspend classes in public and private schools and work in government offices, in their role as LDRRMC chairpersons.
- Local DepEd and private school officials must set up good lines of communication with their local government units (LGUs).
- Any decision to cancel classes must come from the local government. A school head may cancel classes only when urgent action is needed to prevent loss of life or bodily harm.
- Under Section 2 of EO No. 66, LGU officials should announce a whole-day suspension no later than 4:30 a.m. and an afternoon suspension no later than 11:00 a.m.
- Regional, division, and school officials must report the local situation to their counterpart local chief executive.
- Regional and Division Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (DRRMOs) must talk with their counterpart Regional DRRMC (RDRRMC) and LDRRMC about any decision to cancel classes in their area.
Suspension during other calamities
Some disasters are not typhoons, such as floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, and fires (conflagration). In these cases, the local government executive decides on and announces the suspension, acting as LDRRMC chairperson. This is done in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and through whatever mass media can be used at the time.
What DepEd offices need to do
Maintain the work force
Regional and Division Offices must activate their Regional or Division DRRMOs. These offices monitor the situation and keep lines of communication open.
Reporting
- Regional and Division DRRMOs follow the standard reporting procedures with the Central Office DRRMO.
- Standard procedures for communicating with the LDRRMC and RDRRMC also apply.
Announcements
- The DepEd spokesperson, regional directors, schools division and city superintendents, and central, regional, and division communication officers may only confirm or repeat an automatic suspension after PAGASA has officially published it.
- No announcement should come from the Department itself. In media interviews, officials should refer to PAGASA’s announcement for areas under a typhoon signal. When there is no signal, they should refer to the local chief executive.
- Under Section 3 of EO No. 66, local chief executives announce local suspensions. When urgent action is needed to prevent loss of life or bodily harm, the school head makes the announcement and then informs the local executive.
Schools used as evacuation centers
Some schools are designated as evacuation centers. School officials and members of the DRRMCs in these schools are asked to keep serving even when classes are suspended. They coordinate with the local government official on the rules, orders, and guidelines for evacuation centers.
Responsibility of parents
DepEd holds that parents have the final responsibility for deciding whether their children go to school. This applies even if no suspension order has been issued, when parents feel that travel to or from school puts their children at risk.
Parents should check media advisories from PAGASA, the NDRRMC, RDRRMCs, LDRRMCs, or the Office of the President.
Make-up classes
Parents and teachers are reminded that the school year has a required number of school days. Make-up classes make up for suspended days. They are held on Saturdays or on weekdays beyond the original school calendar, in both public and private schools.
Effectivity
The order cancels all earlier orders and regulations on suspending classes because of weather disturbances or calamities. It directs that it be shared right away and followed.
The order is signed by Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC, Secretary.
Frequently asked questions
When are classes automatically suspended under DepEd Order No. 43, s. 2012?
Signal No. 1 suspends preschool and kindergarten classes. Signal No. 2 suspends preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and secondary classes. Signal No. 3 suspends work in all DepEd offices in the affected areas.
Who decides on suspending classes when there is no typhoon signal?
The local chief executive decides, acting as chairperson of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The order says LGUs should announce whole-day suspensions by 4:30 a.m. and afternoon suspensions by 11:00 a.m.
Can a school head cancel classes?
Only when urgent action is needed to prevent loss of life or bodily harm. In that case, the school head makes the announcement and then informs the local executive.
Can parents keep their children home even if classes are not suspended?
Yes. DepEd holds that parents have the final responsibility for deciding whether their children go to school if they feel travel to or from school is risky.
How are suspended class days made up?
Make-up classes are held on Saturdays or on weekdays beyond the original school calendar, in both public and private schools, so that the required number of school days is met.
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