The Link, August 29, 2026
by Nathan James Y. Mendoza

As the Southwest Monsoon blew a fierce current, the warm, humid mornings of the Philippines were shrouded by dense, gray-silver clouds, casting the surroundings beneath a dim and gloomy veil. Torrents of rain roared relentlessly, drumming against frail rooftops and windows while tiny beads of rainwater clung to the glass. The ever-familiar sounds of the busy streets filled with the chatter of students, passing by vehicles, and walking people got drowned out in the endless downpours and thunderclaps. 

Although it disrupted many people's routines, a lot of the population didn't seem to mind as they used the extra time to relax before returning to work, "It's just a short vacation after all. "But a day became two, then two became weeks, and before long, uneasiness prevailed as the rainstorm continued to relentlessly pour. The local authorities were rendered helpless as the deluge persisted with no end in sight. Across the country, announcements regarding the postponement of classes and the suspension of activities filled the air, leaving the usually lively campuses empty and devoid of life. 

Suddenly, enough was enough. With "blanket suspensions" across the region rendering classes completely and utterly suspended, teachers could no longer continue with the curriculum and were forced to depend on the mercy of the storm to clear so they could resume teaching. And so, a solution had to be proposed.

Under Department of Education (DepEd) Order No. 014, series of 2026, or the “Guidelines on Learning Continuity in Emergencies,” schools are guided by a four-level Learning Continuity Framework. The framework applies to emergencies such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes, heatwaves, violence or armed conflict, and other crises that may disrupt classes. The main principle is to continue education whenever conditions allow while prioritizing the safety and well-being of students and teachers by adjusting learning based on their safety, readiness, well-being, and needs during emergencies. 

The framework is divided into four learning continuity levels, referred to as the 4 Hs. Level 1, “Hayo,” or Continue, refers to regular in-person learning, with the usual pace and academic expectations maintained under safe and normal conditions. Level 2, “Hinay,” or Ease-in, involves continuing learning at a slower and more flexible pace during mild to moderate disruptions. Level 3, “Hinga,” or Check-in, is implemented when academic demands are significantly reduced to focus primarily on well-being checks, psychosocial support, and mental health. Level 4, “Hinto,” or Stop, is implemented when academic learning is temporarily halted due to severe safety risks, danger, or basic survival needs, and may be implemented for up to five consecutive class days. 

The proposed Executive Order (EO) would require shifting from broad and general to localized and specific suspension of classes based on the conditions of each school. This means that the authority will be given to the school heads to evaluate the status of their respective schools and determine whether it is safe, accessible, and free from immediate danger with adequate support systems and infrastructure in place to resume classes. If classes in a certain area are suspended, but a particular school is found to be safe, the school head can request for the resumption of face-to-face classes in school through a formal assessment of the situation and will be coordinated with the Schools Division Superintendent, the Local Government Units (LGUs), and the city or municipal mayor. The Schools Division and the Local Government shall have one hour to agree after receiving the assessment from the school head. 

In addition, school heads shall ensure that the Learning and Service Continuity Plan (LSCP) in their respective schools is updated every year including capability mapping, emergency contact trees, parent orientation, and availability of learning resources. Private schools shall have the same procedure but will coordinate directly with the city or municipal mayor. 

The policy is meant to recover lost instructional time by reducing unnecessary class cancellations because weather-related school closings can cause the loss of 40 to 50 days of learning, which is nearly a third of the 180-day school year. The policy also seeks to respond to reality because the weather conditions and disaster effects can be different for different schools in a city or municipality. Some schools may remain open while others are forced to close due to weather or disaster. Moreover, the policy aims to give the school heads more autonomy in making the most appropriate decisions for their own campus while also considering the local authorities. The policy is intended to maximize learning time while also considering students’ and teachers’ safety. 

Ultimately, the suggested policy provides a middle ground in the wake of an emergency. Instead of having a whole region's schools shut down at the drop of a hat, we have the opportunity to look at what is happening on the ground level. As much as it is important to make sure education is not being interrupted, it is even more important to make sure that lives are not being unnecessarily put at risk. After all, it is not just about keeping schools open. It is about making sure they are safe, and if they have to be shut down, that it does not happen unnecessarily. 

REFERENCES:

Cabalza, D. (2026). DepEd allows school heads to decide if classes can resume. Inquirer.net. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2288541/deped-letting-school-heads-decide-if-classes-can-resume

Orcio, F. (2026). Hayo or Hinto? How DepEd will decide what happens to classes during emergencies. ABS-CBN News. 

https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/31/hayo-or-hinto-how-deped-will-decide-what-happens-to-classes-during-emergencies-0906 

Sevillano, S. (2026). DepEd issues new learning continuity guidelines during emergencies. Philippine News Agency. 

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1276695 

Villanueva, G. (2026). DepEd issues new rules on class suspensions. Inquirer.net. 

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2241138/deped-issues-new-rules-on-class-suspensions