LAS PIÑAS CITY, (PIA) -- Schools in the country may suspend face-to-face classes and switch to modular distance learning if the weather is hot and there is no electricity.

According to DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa, this is in accordance with the memorandum order issued to public and private school heads on April 20.

Poa said schools have the authority and responsibility to suspend in-person classes and switch to alternative delivery modes (ADM), during "unfavorable weather and environment" such as, but not limited to, "extremely high temperatures" that may affect the conduct of classroom learning and endanger the health and well-being of students.

"Because the situation of our schools is different. So school heads will determine. We also do not want the extremely hot weather to affect the health of our learners, so we have reminded the school heads that they can immediately switch to ADMs," said Poa.

On Thursday, the heat index in Dagupan, Pangasinan and NAIA, Pasay City reached 43°C.

PAGASA has already warned that the country will experience even hotter weather in the coming days. (PIA-NCR)