Some NCR universities, colleges suspend classes

Several universities and colleges in Metro Manila late Monday suspended their classes at the collegiate level Tuesday due to the wrath of Typhoon Pedring which is expected to make landfall early Tuesday. On Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed 14 areas — Metro Manila included — under Storm Signal No. 2. Under Department of Education (DepEd) guidelines, only elementary to high school classes are suspended automatically. College classes are suspended automatically if an area is placed under Storm Signal No. 3 or should school heads or local governments decide to suspend classes. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), which oversees Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the country, reminded the public through its official Twitter account that it is not authorized to suspend college classes. By Monday evening, however, HEIs announced through their respective social media accounts the suspension of Tuesday’s classes:

• Central Colleges of the Philippines
• Far Eastern University (FEU) – Manila
• FEU – Makati
• FEU – East Asia (Manila)
• FEU – Diliman, Quezon City
• Philippine Christian University –Taft
• Rizal Technological University
• San Beda College – Manila
• San Beda College – Taytay, Rizal
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the East (UE) – Manila
• UE – Caloocan

However, college students who are unable attend classes because of the weather are to be given “consideration and be allowed to make up for the missed class or activity," according to CHED Memorandum Order No. 34. GMA reporter Joseph Morong tweeted that CHED has appealed to the heads of HEIs to declare suspensions not later than 5 a.m., based on the same CHED memo. Monday evening, DepEd suspended Tuesday’s elementary and high school classes in Metro Manila and the provinces of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya and Cagayan. — With Bea Cupin/MRT/VS, GMA News