OWING to the high heat index forecast, Mayor Honey Lacuna suspended afternoon classes in all levels in Manila on Monday, March 3, 2025, with a call for everyone to protect themselves against the heat.
The decision, she said, is as usual based on the recommendation of the Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) under its director Arnel Angeles.
Covered by the suspension are classes in all levels in both public and private schools.
The mayor noted that according to the weather forecast forwarded by Angeles of the MDRRMO, Manila’s heat index on Monday morning ranged from 36 to 38°C, with peak heat index of 42°C at around 2 p.m.
Lacuna said that the decision to suspend classes cannot be done by the city government without any legitimate basis.
The decision, she stressed, is always being based on the recommendations and reports either from the MDRRMO, the Department of Education or the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) weather bureau.
A number of local government units and schools suspended face-to-face classes on Monday owing to the state weather bureau’s forecast of a “danger” heat index level in some parts of Luzon area.
PAGASA said its stations in Science Garden in Quezon City and Clark Airport in Pampanga forecast a heat index of 46 degrees Celsius, making them fall under the “danger” category.
