FACT: DepEd allows students to wear sandos due to El Niño

An uploaded post on Facebook claims that the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that public school students may wear sleeveless tank tops or sandos. 

CLAIM

DepEd announces that students may wear tank tops or sandos in schools due to increased heat. The quote reads:

“Hindi na po kailangang mag-uniform, kahit mag-sando na lang, basta dignified ng konti, kasi alam namin mainit sa mga classroom,” Angara said. 

RATING: FACT

CONCLUSION:

Angara did state that public school students may wear sandos as long as their clothes are ‘somewhat dignified.’  He added that the department aims to ease the dress code due to the potential weather conditions of El Niño.

THE FACTS:

• Angara did state that public school students may wear sandos as long as their clothes are ‘somewhat dignified.’ “Hindi na po kailangan mag-uniform. Informal, puwedeng mag-sando na lang or anything, basta medyo dignified nang konti,” Angara said.
• In addition to loosening the dress code, in a budget hearing on October 16, 2026, Angara also stated that DepEd is preparing to mandate early dismissals, class suspensions, and shortened class hours for high-temperature seasons.
• DepEd also aims to equip classrooms with water containers.

THE BOTTOMLINE:

The Department of Education (DepEd) prepares precautionary measures for the upcoming El Niño to ensure the safety of students. This was confirmed during an interview with Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who stated that DepEd suggests implementing the following: loosening the dress codes, mandating schedules and class hours, and equipping classrooms with water containers.