President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 130 on 28 October 2026, which was made public on 3 November 2026. The order gives schools the authority to suspend in‑person classes during disasters and other emergencies, provided the decision is backed by documented safety assessments and coordinated with local authorities. The order establishes three mechanisms for suspending classes, school activities and on‑site work in both public and private educational institutions and learning centers: 1. Automatic suspension – In‑person classes and on‑site work are suspended automatically when warnings or alerts issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) or other competent agencies meet prescribed technical thresholds. 2. Localized suspension – If no automatic suspension is triggered, governors and mayors may declare a localized suspension based on documented risk assessments and prevailing conditions. Local officials must identify the affected areas and the duration of the suspension and coordinate with concerned government agencies, barangay officials and school administrators. 3. School‑level suspension – Individual schools and learning centers may declare a granular suspension when an actual or imminent threat to the safety, health or welfare of learners and personnel is identified. Such decisions must be supported by documented, site‑specific assessments and coordinated with the concerned local government. This mechanism applies only when no automatic or localized suspension is already in effect. The order also sets procedures for resuming in‑person classes and on‑site work. Schools may reopen once suspension periods expire or applicable warnings are lifted or downgraded, subject to required safety inspections. Educational institutions may request permission to resume classes before a localized suspension expires if they can demonstrate that their premises are safe and obtain the concurrence of the concerned mayor or governor. The order stresses that suspending face‑to‑face classes does not automatically mean suspending learning. Schools and learning centers are directed to adopt alternative learning arrangements whenever feasible, in line with policies issued by the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Early Childhood Care and Development Council. DepEd is tasked with leading the implementation of the new framework and is required to issue detailed guidelines within 30 days of the order’s effectivity. Executive Order No. 130 updates the class suspension rules that were originally set out in Executive Order No. 66, issued in 2012, as part of efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness while minimizing disruptions to education.
Article source: The Daily Tribune | Image credit: The Daily Tribune