While private schools in Angeles City (AC) have been granted the discretion to suspend classes during inclement weather, HAU Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Al D. Biag said that the university would abide by the local government unit’s (LGU) class suspension announcements.

Following a consultation meeting with AC Mayor Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II and the AC Association of Private Schools on July 7, Dr. Biag explained in an interview that HAU abides by the LGU’s suspension directives, which are aligned with the Department of Education’s (DepEd) guidelines for typhoon and rainfall warnings.

In accordance with DepEd Order No. 22, Series of 2024, classes are automatically suspended at all levels when PAGASA issues Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) 3 to 5, as well as orange or red rainfall warnings.

While reaffirming the university’s compliance with the city’s suspension declarations, Dr. Biag acknowledged HAU’s prerogative to suspend classes independently if necessary, stating that if the LGU’s directive is “judicious,” there is “no point for the head of the university to declare its own suspension.”

“Actually baligtad ‘yung reaction namin last year because we thought that the suspension from the local chief executive was too much… One week na ang suspension even if the weather has improved already such that the students can come to class already. On and off ang rain but not continuous heavy rain,” he relayed, citing previous AC mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr.’s class suspensions.

The VPAA also emphasized that in the event of class suspensions, the university’s College Academic Framework mandates a shift to online modular learning, with lectures uploaded on Canvas to accommodate students facing connectivity issues.

When asked about the safety of students during heavy rains when classes are not suspended, Dr. Biag assured that flooding poses no immediate threat within campus grounds, citing the drainage system and elevated buildings. He added that students are welcome to remain inside campus buildings until downpours subside.

USC, students calls for further leniency, review of policies

Meanwhile, though the HAU – University Student Council (HAU-USC) viewed the arrangement on independent suspensions as a “measure to empower schools to make timely decisions rooted in the safety and welfare of their communities,” HAU-USC President Adonis Cayanan, in an interview, called for a review of the university’s policies on academic-related concerns amid inclement weather.

“While face-to-face classes may resume, we strongly advocate for continued consideration and flexibility, especially for students in areas where access to the university remains difficult due to flooding or transportation issues,” Cayanan said, noting the council’s plan to work with the VPAA and the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) to draft clear, written guidelines promoting equitable access to online and onsite classes.

To support their appeal, the USC launched the “HAU Are You, Angelites?” survey from July 7 to 14, collecting data on students’ experiences during Typhoon Bising earlier this month to present “a more informed and evidence-based appeal to the administration for further leniency and support.”

“Many Angelites come from areas that are flood-prone or affected by transportation disruptions, and while classes may resume on-site, their access to campus may still be compromised,” added Cayanan, further emphasizing the need for “specific and inclusive mechanisms” beyond the university’s existing general leniency.

Several students had reported their struggles in commuting to and from the university throughout the recent series of heavy rainfall, particularly with flooded roads and the limited accessibility of public transportation.

“Because of the recent weather, simply walking to the nearest tricycle outpost is hard since the drainage of the road in my street isn’t properly maintained so there’s always at least 3-5 inches deep rain water and mud and there’s no alternative road,” said School of Business and Accountancy (SBA) freshman Harrison Edralin — whose 20-minute commute became an hour long due to traffic caused by flooding.

“[On July 5], stranded lahat ng tao kahit sa kanto namin kung saan nagwa-wait for jeep. Very evident na lahat ng commuters, nahihirapan mag commute — majority are students. Almost over the knee na rin yung baha — strong winds and rainfall din,” BA Communication senior and City of San Fernando resident Justin Fong also described.

Academe lauds LGU’s new approach

Representatives from various private schools welcomed the city’s approach to class suspensions, emphasizing that institutional discretion allows for more efficient operations without compromising student safety.

In the July 7 meeting, Systems Plus College Foundation’s Executive Vice President Happie Bustamante said that most AC private colleges provide environments that are “resilient” against inclement weather conditions due to “modern facilities and air-conditioned classrooms.”

Bustamante added that allowing private schools the discretion on class suspensions would allow these institutions to “operate efficiently without compromising the quality of education.”

In a courtesy visit on July 14, AC Schools Division Superintendent Engr. Edgard Domingo provided his thanks towards Lazatin on the provision of clear class suspension policies on weather-related — noting the new mayor is “not quick” to announce suspensions due to “strict compliance with existing DepEd directives.”