Several Metro Manila cities suspended face-to-face classes on Monday due to the extreme heat, while a fire in Barangay UP Campus heightened calls for Quezon City to do the same.
Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Manila, Marikina, Parañaque and Valenzuela shifted to online or modular learning as Pagasa warned of heat indices reaching up to 46°C. However, Quezon City drew criticism from students and parents for not suspending classes, especially after the fire caused disruptions.
Netizens lambasted the local government for its inaction, with some accusing officials of filtering comments on social media.
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora opted for a different approach, adjusting public school hours to 6 a.m.-10 a.m. and 3 p.m.-7 p.m. starting Tuesday, 4 March, to avoid peak heat.
Meanwhile, a fire in Sitio Masagana, Muntinlupa, early Monday added to the day’s challenges, reaching the third alarm before being controlled.