A total of 129 public schools in Western Visayas shifted to alternative delivery modes of learning, affecting 112,758 learners, due to inclement weather on Monday.

“All of these were declared by their respective local chief executives. We have four areas where we have suspension of in-person classes. Automatically, all of our 112, 758 learners have shifted to alternative delivery mode,” said Hernani Escullar Jr., Information Officer for the Department of Education in Western Visayas (DepEd-6) in an interview.

The suspension covered Iloilo City and the municipalities of Oton, Tigbauan and Pavia.

He said the monitoring covered public schools, while private schools and state universities and colleges in the affected areas were also expected to comply with the guidelines issued by their respective local government units.

Escullar added that they are expected to resume face-to-face classes on Tuesday. However, if the suspension is in effect until it is lifted, then they have to wait for guidance from their local governments on when to resume in-person classes.

Further, they are no longer expected to hold remedial or extension classes since the shift to the alternative mode is counted in the number of required school days.

He added that their disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) focal persons are also monitoring whether there were schools, which have incurred damage.

“We have not received any information right now, but our DRRM in division offices are checking the schools in their respective jurisdiction,” he said. (PNA)