Conscience, competence, and compassion — the 3Cs that HAU claims to uphold, yet these values seem absent from its decision-making during times of inclement weather. Even with the discretion granted by Angeles City (AC) Mayor Carmelo “Jonjon” Lazatin II to suspend classes during severe weather, HAU chooses silence. As heavy rains fall and students’ safety is put at risk, no decisions are made, and no action is seen.
As of 8:00 p.m. on July 20, PAGASA raised a yellow rainfall warning over Pampanga—a level that advises residents to stay alert and watch for possible flooding, especially in low-lying areas. However, under DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2024, this warning does not automatically warrant class suspensions, leaving the decision to the local government unit (LGU).
While students continue to call for class suspensions due to worsening conditions outside, the situation remains unclear. In a consultation meeting with Mayor Carmelo “Jonjon” Lazatin II and the Angeles City Association of Private Schools, it was emphasized that the newly-elected mayor intends to strictly adhere to DepEd’s guidelines. Consequently, HAU Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Al D. Biag stated in an interview that the university administration is “duty-bound” to follow the directives of the LGU.
This over-reliance on guidelines and technicalities risks something greater: losing touch with the reality unfolding outside campus walls. While PAGASA’s warnings and directives serve as important measures in assessing the severity of the rains, it is equally crucial for the city government and school administration to simply look outside their windows and recognize the actual situation on the ground. There may be no orange rainfall warning or tropical cyclone wind signal, but it does not take much to ask a few simple, practical questions: Can students get to school and back home safely? Will commuters have reliable access to transportation? Is there no immediate danger on the roads? Are the roads genuinely passable?
These considerations, however, seem to be overlooked by the city government. In a Facebook post, city councilor Edu Pamintuan claimed there were “no flooded areas” in Angeles City and therefore confirmed that no class suspensions were in effect as of posting. However, SunStar reported that 54 villages in Pampanga are currently submerged in floodwaters, a fact that should be taken into consideration, especially since many students attending schools in Angeles City reside in other parts of the province.
Meanwhile, councilor Arvin Suller simply reposted the DepEd guidelines on class suspensions, giving the impression that no suspension was being considered simply because the alert remained at yellow rainfall warning.
Both actions reflect a clear disregard for the actual conditions students are facing as continuous rains, forecasted by PAGASA to persist until Tuesday, continue to impact their safety and well-being.
In reality, many students report facing difficulties getting to school—and even falling ill from having to attend classes amid the ongoing rains and worsening weather conditions.
Fourth-year BS Accountancy student Khrt Borlaza, who commutes from Magalang, shared his experience, saying, “Since galing pa po akong Magalang, mahaba po ang biyahe ko, and nung papasok na po ako ng school sobrang lakas po ng ulan, kaya pag baba ko po sa jeep, nagulat po ako kasi abot hanggang ankle ung tubig sa binabaan ko. Nabasa po yung baba ng pantalon ko pati po yung polo ko since ang lakas din po ng hangin kaya sumasagi po yung tubig-ulan sakin,” and added that he has been experiencing cough and colds since then.
Meanwhile, BA Communication sophomore Mari Antonette Manarang shared, “From the past weeks na umuulan, hindi gumaling pag-uubo ko and nagkasinat na din at some point pero need pumasok kahit masama pakiramdam kasi walang suspensions of classes and need attendance sa mga subjects since exam week na.” She also mentioned getting stranded at times due to the limited availability of public transportation during heavy rains.
In another account, BS Entertainment and Media Computing sophomore Aliyah Angeles said, “It’s honestly quite difficult. When there are no jeeps available, it gets really hard to find a ride, especially when a lot of students are going home at the same time. On top of that, it’s cold and wet outside, and even with an umbrella, you still end up getting soaked. Carrying a heavy bag while dealing with the weather just adds to the hassle. It can really drain your energy after a long day at school. But at the end of the day, there’s not much choice, especially when attendance or deadlines is a must.”
These are not isolated cases. They reflect the experiences of many other students, not just Angelites, who face similar struggles during heavy rains and unsafe conditions. These stories are what the local government should be paying attention to, not just the guidelines and technicalities they rely on when making decisions.
This is also a call to the HAU administration, which has long taken pride in its autonomous status, to use this privilege to stand up for its students even when the local government refuses to do so — especially when their safety is on the line.
Ahyenne Neleah Estacio is the editor-in-chief of The Angelite for the Publication Year 2025-2026, and writes opinions under the column “Ace the Unraveling.”
The views and opinion of the editor does not necessarily reflect those of the publication.
