Aurora schools enforce strict guidelines amid El Niño threat

BALER, Aurora — A unified heat index system and a strict water-and-sanitation requirement for face-to-face classes are now in place, as the province rolls out its El Niño contingency measures.

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Erleo T. Villaros presented these measures as the schools' preparedness plan during the recent first-ever livestreamed session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.

"The welfare of our learners comes first — no compromise on basic water and sanitation," Villaros said.

"No school will be allowed to hold face-to-face classes without safe drinking water and functional facilities."

He also unveiled the 4H Alert System, which standardizes class responses across all eight municipalities based on heat index levels:
• Hayo (27–32°C) — Regular classes proceed
• Hinay (33–37°C) — Minimize outdoor activities
• Hinga (38–41°C) — Suspend outdoor activities; shift learning mode if needed
• Hinto (42°C and above) — Classes suspended
"This ensures a unified standard of response across all eight municipalities of Aurora, allowing decisions to be properly adapted to local weather conditions," he added.

The historic session, presided over by Vice Gov. Patrick Alexis G. Angara, laid out a coordinated, whole-of-government El Niño preparedness and response plan covering education, agriculture, health, and disaster management.

Provincial Agriculturist Arnold B. Novicio reported that some 1,400 hectares of farmland are already affected by dry conditions, but confirmed the province remains 146.6% rice self-sufficient even with an anticipated 30% drop in yield.

He suggested that early planting and the procurement of mobile solar pumps are among the immediate interventions.

Dr. Kris Madonna Roxas-Rimando of the Provincial Health Office said they are monitoring heat-related and waterborne diseases, while Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Engr. Amado Elson A. Egargue confirmed the Provincial El Niño Task Force is being formally organized, as directed by Governor Isidro Galban.

Beyond El Niño preparations, the chamber also addressed several key measures during the session, including the approval of the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, authorization of the AI-powered Electronic Socio-Economic Profiling System partnership, greenlighting of a farm-to-market road project, and adoption of the ARAL Program for School Year 2026–2027.