On August 12, 2026, Bislig City sent its students home because of the heat. With PAGASA saying El Niño may peak before the end of 2026 and will continue into the first half of 2027, Bislig parents and teachers may see more of these days. Here is what happened in August, and how the rules may change.

What happened on August 12

By midday on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Mayor Florencio Garay suspended classes at all levels in Bislig, along with work for teaching and non-teaching staff, in both public and private schools, GMA Regional TV reported. The trigger was a heat index of 42°C, a level the report described as dangerous and a possible serious health risk for students and school personnel.

Evening classes were allowed to continue unless authorities announced otherwise. School heads were told to inform students, parents and staff and to take steps to protect everyone's health. MindaNews later reported that the mayor's memorandum covered August 12 and 13.

Bislig was not alone. A report by the Agusan del Sur provincial information office, dated August 18, 2026, said heat index readings across Caraga reached roughly 42°C to 46°C that week, with Tandag City at about 46°C. In Bislig and nearby towns, it said, some schools limited class hours while others moved afternoon activities to modular or blended learning.

What the rules say right now

There is currently no national heat index number that automatically cancels classes. In an April 4, 2024 statement, DepEd said it has given "the school heads the authority and discretion to suspend the conduct of in-person classes" and to "shift to alternative delivery modes (ADM) in cases of extreme heat and other calamities." That authority rests on DepEd Order No. 037, s. 2022, the department's guidelines on suspending classes and work during disasters and other emergencies.

In practice, that means a Bislig school head can move a single school to modules or other remote work on a hot day, and the mayor can suspend classes citywide, as happened in August.

What DepEd wants to change

On July 29, 2026, DepEd began nationwide consultations on a draft executive order that would standardize how classes are suspended and resumed. Under the draft, as reported by GMA News and the Daily Tribune, in-person classes and onsite work would be suspended automatically when:

  • the heat index reaches 40°C or higher
  • official rainfall warnings are issued
  • air quality risks or volcanic smog advisories are raised

The draft sets out three ways to suspend classes: automatic suspensions based on national thresholds, city- or town-wide suspensions ordered by local chief executives, and school-specific suspensions or resumptions started by school heads. Public school heads would need the concurrence of their Schools Division Superintendent for school-specific suspensions. Private school heads could act on their own while coordinating with the local government.

"When a hazard strikes, the safety of our students, teachers, and school personnel is non-negotiable," Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a September 3, 2026 Daily Tribune report, which said he would ask President Marcos to approve the rules. As of October 26, 2026, Bislig Today has found no report that the order has been signed.

What it would mean for Bislig

Under a 40°C automatic rule, the August 12 reading of 42°C would have suspended classes on its own, without waiting for a mayor's memorandum.

The tradeoff is lost class time. The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has warned that class suspensions are costing students weeks of school days each year, which is why the draft also leans on modules and other flexible learning when schools close.

Until a new order is signed, watch for announcements from the City Government of Bislig and the DepEd Schools Division of Bislig City on hot days.

Sources: GMA Regional TV, "Bislig suspends classes, school work due to heat" (August 12, 2026); MindaNews (August 2026); Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur, "Schools suspend classes as Caraga experience intense heat" (August 18, 2026); DepEd statement on class suspensions and ADM due to high heat index (April 4, 2024); GMA News and Daily Tribune (July 29, 2026); Daily Tribune (September 3, 2026); DOST-PAGASA El Niño Advisory No. 5 (October 7, 2026).