BACOLOD CITY — Thousands of students in Negros Occidental province just stayed home on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with the cancellation of face-to face classes due to expected elevated heat levels.
On Tuesday morning, the state weather bureau forecast the heat index in the province to reach 41 degrees Celsius.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said such heat index falls under the “extreme caution” category, where heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible, while continued heat exposure and physical activity may lead to heat stroke.
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Local governments announced the cancellation of face-to-face classes as a precautionary measure to continue prioritizing the health and safety of students, teachers, and school personnel.
Face-to-face classes were cancelled in schools in the cities of Himamaylan, Kabankalan and Silay, and the towns of Calatrava, Candoni, Cauayan, EB Magalona, Hinigaran, Ilog, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, San Enrique and Valladolid.
As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, the state weather bureau measured the heat index in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental at 43 degrees, which is expected to slightly go down to 42 degrees by Wednesday and 41 degrees by Thursday.