The Senate President pushes for localized, not blanket, class suspensions as schools brace for the looming super El Niño
MANILA – Senate President Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian on Sunday, November 1, 2026, urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to make sure its protocols for the looming super El Niño keep students safe without deepening learning loss, saying class suspensions should be localized rather than imposed across the board.
“El Niño not only threatens the safety of students, but also their ability to learn. We must ensure that our students’ knowledge does not decline because this will worsen our education crisis,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
He pointed to a policy note from the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which found that a typical public elementary school lost 20 teaching days in School Year 2025-2026 because of hazard-related class suspensions.
The same study found that for every school day suspended, learners lost roughly 1.4 days of reading progress.
Gatchalian’s call comes after DepEd rolled out its 4H heat protocol for schools, which sets four levels of response: Hayo (go ahead), Hinay (be careful), Hinga (rest) and Hinto (stop).
Under Hayo, face-to-face classes continue with heat adjustments such as scheduled water breaks, moving outdoor activities to early morning or shaded areas, and allowing flexible or PE attire.
Once conditions reach Hinay, which signals heat stress, schools may shift to modified class days combined with home-based or hybrid learning.
At the Hinga level, covering extreme heat or loss of water supply, academic demands are scaled down to protect learners’ well-being. Schools then lean on supplementary learning packets, short literacy and numeracy activities, and lessons broadcast through DepEd TV and radio.
Under Hinto, triggered by unsafe conditions or a heat index of 42°C and above, academic activities are suspended, although schools continue essential communication, safety checks and psychosocial support referrals.
Gatchalian has also said the Senate is tilting the 2027 budget toward El Niño response.