To: Regional Directors
Schools Superintendents
Presidents, State Colleges and Universities
Heads of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities
Vocational School Superintendents/Administrators

1. The guidelines mentioned in MECS Order No. 43, s. 1986 is being reissued with amendments, for the information and guidance of all officials concerned.
   1. Announcements by DECS Central Office
      Any suspension, cancellation and/or postponement of classes at any level which is nationwide in scope shall be announced by the Central office of the Department.
   2. Announcements by the Regional Directors
      As a matter of policy, the suspension, cancellation and/or postponement of classes in a particular region, division or district shall be announced by the Regional Director.
   3. Announcement by the School Heads
      In cases where there is an existence of conditions that endanger the lives and safety of pupils, students, teachers and other school personnel such as floods, transportation strikes, disasters and other forms of emergencies, school heads in afflicted areas may use their discretion in suspending classes. School heads are therefore enjoined to exercise their best judgment in this regard.
   4. Automatic Suspension of Classes
      The automatic suspension of classes shall apply only to the following situations:
      1. Where typhoon signal No. 3 is raised by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Administration (PAGASA), classes in all school levels (elementary, secondary and collegiate levels) shall be automatically suspended.
      2. Where typhoon signal No. 2 is raised by PAGASA, classes at the elementary and secondary levels shall be automatically suspended.
   5. The order for the suspension of classes shall take effect from the time the order was issued until the last class hours of the school day, unless otherwise specified in the order. All announcement of suspension of classes shall be made preferably not later than six o’clock in the morning.
2. This Order supersedes all previous regulations on the same subject matter.

(SGD.) LOURDES R. QUISUMBING
Secretary

Reference: MECS Order: (No. 43, s. 1986)
Allotment: 1-2-3-4–(M.O. 1-87)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
CALAMITY
CLASSES
OFFICIALS
POLICY
PUPILS
SCHOOLS
STUDENTS
RULES & REGULATIONS
TEACHERS

DO_s1988_53