April 22 - Guidelines on the Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices

April 22 - Guidelines on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices Due to Typhoons, Flooding, Other Weather Disturbances, and Calamities

April 22, 2021
DepEd Order No. 014 s 2021

To:
Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Minister, Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, BARMM
Bureau and Service Directors
Regional Directors
Schools Division Superintendents
Public and Private Elementary and Secondary School Heads
A11 Others Concerned

1. The cancellation or suspension of classes and work in the Department of Education (DepEd) due to typhoons, flooding, other weather disturbances and calamities is governed by Executive Order (EO) No. 66, s. 2021 titled Prescribing Rules on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices Due to Typhoons, Floods and Otter Weather Disturbances, Calamities as operationalized by DepEd Order (DO) No. 43, s. 2012 titled Guidelines on the Implementation of Executive Order No. 66. By safeguarding learners and personnel from unnecessary physical dangers that they may be exposed to, these policies protect the constitutional rights to life, health, safety, and property in times of calamities.

2. In its commitment to ensure teaching and learning continuity while looking after the health, safety, and well-being of its learners, teachers, and personnel, DepEd issued DO 012, s. 2O2O titled Adoption of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) for School Year (SY) 2020-2021 in Light of the COWD-19 Pandemic. DepEd has also issued DO 011, s. 2O2O titled the Revised Guidelines on Alternative Work Arrangements in the Department of Education During the Period of State of National Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic. Through these policies, the Department has adopted distance learning modalities and alternative work arrangements, which minimize the health and safety risks brought about not only by the pandemic, but also by typhoons, flooding, and other weather disturbances that learners and teachers might be exposed to.

3. In addition to these policies, the Department recognizes that the suspension of classes and work during emergencies remain to be necessary in upholding physical and mental well-being. Thus, the application of DO 43, s. 2012 is suspended until further notice; and in its place, the enclosed Guidelines on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Government Offices Due to Typhoons, Flooding, Other Weather Disturbances, and Calamities are adopted.

4. For more information, please contact the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, 2nd Floor, Mabini Building, Department of Education, Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City through email at drrmo@deped.gov.ph or at telefax number lo2l 8637-4933.

5. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.

GUIDELINES ON THE SUSPEIYSION OF WORK AND CLASSES

1. Automatic Cancellation/Suspension of Classes and Work 

Cancellation and suspension of classes shall be based on the weather bulletins issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), particularly the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) as follows:

a. When TCWS No. I (i.e. weather disturbance is expected in 36 hours) is raised by PAGASA, public and private kindergarten classes, regardless of learning delivery modality in the affected areas, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

Teaching school personnel, including ALS teachers, solely handling cancelled or suspended classes are not required to report to work, regardless of working arrangement adopted by the school, in consideration of the work/service that they have to render during make-up classes.

Non-teaching school personnel and Schools Division, Regional, and Central Office personnel shall be required to report to work under applicable working arrangements as determined by the concerned Head of Officer, consistent with the relevant provisions of DO No. 011, s. 2020 (Revised Guidelines on Alternative Work Arrangements in the Department of Education During the Period of State of National Emergency Due to COWD-|9 Pandemic).

Central, Regional, Schools Division Office, and teaching and/or non-teaching school personnel who are members of DRRM Teams shall continue to render the necessar5r services, guided by the succeeding provisions on the activation of DRRM Teams.

Heads of private schools, who may adopt the foregoing provisions, shall exercise discretion on the appropriate work arrangement for their teaching and non-teaching personnel. 

b. When TCWS No. 2 (i.e. weather disturbance is expected in 24 hours) is raised by PAGASA, public and private kindergarten, elementary and secondary (1.e. Junior and Senior High School classes, regardless of learning delivery Modality in the affected areas, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

Teaching school personnel, including ALS teachers, solely handling cancelled or suspended classes are not required to report to work, regardless of working arrangement adopted by the school, in consideration of the work/service that they have to render during make-up classes

Non-teaching school personnel and Schools Division, Regional, and Central Office personnel shall be required to report to work under applicable working arrangements as determined by the concerned Head of Office, consistent with the relevant provisions of DO No. 01 1, s. 2020.

Central, RegionaI, Schools Division Office, and teaching and/or non-teaching school personnel who are members of DRRM Teams shall continue to render the necessary services, guided by the succeeding provisions on the activation of DRRM Teams.

Heads of private schools, who may adopt the foregoing provisions, shall exercise discretion on the appropriate work arrangement for their teaching and non-teaching personnel.

c. When TCWS No. 3 or higher (i.e. weather disturbance is expected 18 hours or less) is raised by PAGASA, classes in all levels, regardless of learning delivery modalities used by elementary and secondary schools; and work ln all DepEd offices, regardless of work arrangement, in the affected areas shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

Central, Regional, Schools Division Office, and teaching and/or non-teaching school personnel who are members of DRRM Teams shall continue to render the necessar5r services, guided by the succeeding provisions on the activation of DRRM Teams.

Heads of private schools shall exercise discretion relative to the work arrangement of their DRRM personnel.