Longest Class Suspension of the Year Declared by DepEd Amid Ongoing Habagat Downpour

MANILA, Philippines — More than 20,000 public schools across the country have suspended face-to-face classes since Monday due to the intensified southwest monsoon (habagat), marking the longest stretch of class cancellations since the school year opened in June, the Department of Education (DepEd) reported Wednesday.

As of July 23, data from DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service show that 24,648 schools in 16 regions suspended in-person classes on Wednesday. This figure is higher than the 19,000+ schools that suspended classes Tuesday, but slightly lower than the 26,000 closures reported on Monday.

This four-day stretch is the longest series of class suspensions since the academic year began on June 16, 2025 — a date aligned with DepEd’s effort to return to the traditional June-to-March school calendar.

The ongoing weather disturbance has forced at least 131 schools to be used as evacuation centers, providing shelter to residents displaced by widespread flooding. The National Capital Region accounts for more than half of these temporary shelters, with 84 schools repurposed for evacuation.

Aside from class disruptions, the rains have also taken a toll on school infrastructure. DepEd’s situation report notes that 531 classrooms have been completely destroyed, while 540 suffered major damage and 1,794 were partially damaged — mostly in Region I and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

In response, DepEd said it is closely monitoring the effects of both the southwest monsoon and Tropical Depression Dante on affected schools. Several Schools Division Offices have activated alternative learning delivery modes to ensure students continue their education despite the disruptions.

DepEd also directed its field offices and school heads to activate contingency plans, secure learning materials, school records, and vital equipment, and prepare for possible flooding and landslides in high-risk areas.