Extreme heat caused the cancellation of face-to-face classes in 12 local government units in Negros Occidental on Monday, April 1, Irene Bel Ploteña, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head, said.
The majority of the 12 have also suspended face-to face classes on Tuesday, April 2.
The state weather bureau’s forecasted heat index was 41 degrees Celsius on Monday and 42 degrees Celsius on Tuesday – both classified as extreme caution levels.
The LGUs that suspended face-to-face classes at various levels are the cities of Bacolod, Bago, Silay, Himamaylan, Kabankalan and Talisay, and the municipalities of EB Magalona, Binalbagan, Hinoba-an, Isabela, Candoni and Cauayan, Ploteña said.
Schools were instructed to shift to modular or online distance learning.
Ilog and Moises Padilla left the suspension of face-to-face classes to the discretion of school officials.
With the heat index forecasted to hit 42 degrees Celsius on Tuesday the public is advised to stay indoors, get hydrated and to avoid being exposed to the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Ploteña said.*