Habagat, Typhoons ‘Dante’, ‘Emong’ intensify, prompt 5-day class suspension

Bea Allyson Alimangohan

The Department of Education (DepEd) has extended the suspension of classes until July 25 due to widespread flooding, damaged school facilities, and the use of campuses as evacuation centers brought by the intensified southwest monsoon (Habagat), along with Typhoons Dante and Emong.

Based on DepEd’s situation report released on July 23, around 26,000 schools canceled face-to-face classes on July 21, 19,000 on July 22, and 24,648 on July 23 across 16 regions.

Following Malacañang’s directive granting the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) the authority to suspend classes, the DILG announced the cancellation of face-to-face classes at all levels in nine regions for both July 24 and 25, marking the longest consecutive class suspension so far in School Year 2025–2026.

DepEd also reported over 3,000 classrooms affected: 540 were severely damaged, while 1,794 sustained minor damage.

Additionally, 131 schools across Cagayan Valley (Region II), Central Luzon (Region III), Calabarzon (Region IV-A), Ilocos Region (Region I), the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Metro Manila (National Capital Region or NCR), Western Visayas (Region VI), and Mimaropa (Region IV-B) are currently being used as evacuation centers for families displaced by heavy rains and flooding.

As of PAGASA’s 11:00 a.m. forecast on July 24, 14 areas were under yellow rainfall warning, 12 under orange warning, and seven under red rainfall warning.

PAGASA said the continuous rains and strong winds are due to the intensified Habagat, strengthened further by Typhoon Emong, which is expected to make landfall in the vicinity of Abra by 8:00 p.m. on July 25 and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Saturday evening.

Despite the suspension, DepEd assured the public that learning continuity is being maintained through Structured Alternative Learning Delivery Modes.

“DepEd-DRRMS remains vigilant in monitoring developments and coordinating efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of learners, teachers, and school communities,” the department said.