MANILA— President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued an executive order establishing a nationwide framework for suspending and resuming in-person classes, school activities and onsite work in educational institutions and learning centers during natural and human-induced hazards.

Executive Order No. 130 introduces three mechanisms for class and work suspensions: automatic suspension based on technical thresholds, localized suspension declared by local chief executives, and granular suspension determined by individual educational institutions based on site-specific assessments.

Under the order, automatic suspensions will take effect without requiring a separate declaration once the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), or another competent national government agency issues a warning, advisory, alert level or forecast that meets prescribed technical thresholds.

In the absence of an applicable automatic suspension, local chief executives, acting as chairpersons of their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, may declare suspensions within their jurisdictions based on documented local risk assessments and prevailing conditions.

The declaration must specify the areas covered, the educational institutions and learning centers affected, and the duration of the suspension.

Local chief executives are also required to consult concerned officials, including local barangay officials, schools division superintendents and heads of private educational institutions, when determining the scope and duration of class suspensions.

Educational institutions may also declare granular suspensions through their authorized officials when actual or imminent threats to the safety and health of learners and personnel exist.

However, such suspensions may only be declared when there is no applicable suspension issued by the national government or the concerned local chief executive.

Resumption subject to safety assessments

The order also establishes guidelines for the resumption of classes, activities and onsite work.

Under the automatic and localized resumption mechanism, in-person classes and onsite work will resume upon the expiration of the period specified in the suspension order or when the applicable warning, advisory, alert level, forecast or declaration has been lifted, downgraded, expired or ceased, subject to required safety assessments and inspections.

Educational institutions may seek an earlier resumption of classes and onsite work during an existing localized suspension, provided that documented site-specific conditions support the move and the concerned local chief executive gives concurrence.

Institutions that previously declared granular suspensions may also resume operations through their authorized officials after conducting a safety assessment showing that the conditions prompting the suspension no longer exist or have been sufficiently addressed.

The assessment must also establish that learners and personnel can safely travel to and from the institution.

Learning continuity measures required

Marcos’ order emphasizes that the suspension of face-to-face classes should not automatically mean the suspension of learning.

Educational institutions and learning centers are directed to implement learning continuity measures whenever feasible and appropriate, in accordance with the policies of the Early Childhood Care and Development Council, Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), and other concerned agencies.

The specific learning modalities, institutional planning requirements, funding considerations and criteria for implementing alternative learning arrangements will be detailed in the implementing guidelines.

Unless otherwise provided in a suspension order, alternative work arrangements should also be implemented whenever practicable during the suspension of onsite work.

DepEd to lead implementation

The DepEd will serve as the lead implementing agency, overseeing and coordinating the implementation of the order and issuing the necessary guidelines in coordination with concerned government agencies.

Other agencies have also been assigned specific responsibilities, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government, PAGASA, PHIVOLCS, DENR-EMB and Department of Public Works and Highways.

The weather and disaster monitoring agencies will provide timely technical advisories, review the prescribed thresholds and guide implementing agencies, while the DPWH will conduct safety assessments of educational facilities and related infrastructure following disasters and other hazards.

The DepEd, in coordination with the concerned agencies, is required to issue the implementing guidelines within 30 days from the order’s effectivity. These will include technical thresholds, grounds, criteria, documentary requirements, timelines and coordination procedures.

The executive order also retains the President’s authority to suspend or resume classes and onsite work nationwide or in specific areas whenever necessary for public safety, national security, disaster response, public health or general welfare.

Initial funding for the implementation will be charged against the current and available appropriations of the DepEd and other concerned agencies, while subsequent funding requirements will be included in their respective budget proposals.