As severe weather from the southwest monsoon, locally known as habagat, brings heavy rains and floods across Luzon, numerous local government units have suspended face-to-face classes or shifted to alternative learning modes for Tuesday, September 8, 2026, following earlier weather disruptions in late August and early September.
Local officials across Metro Manila and surrounding provinces suspended physical classes or transitioned students to remote learning modules as persistent monsoon rains triggered flooding in low-lying areas. The suspensions affect both public and private schools across multiple grade levels, continuing a series of weather-related educational disruptions that began in late August.
Metro Manila Local Government Units Shift to Alternative Learning Modes
Across the National Capital Region, local governments implemented sweeping adjustments to keep students safe from rising floodwaters. In Quezon City, officials ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes for all levels across public and private schools, mandating alternative delivery modes of learning such as synchronous and asynchronous instruction. This followed an earlier recommendation by the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (QCDRRMC) for September 5, 2026, which anticipated heavy rainfall reaching 50-100mm due to the habagat.
Similar measures took effect in multiple neighboring cities for September 8. Valenzuela, Manila, Mandaluyong, and San Juan shifted all levels in public and private institutions to alternative learning modes or online and modular distance education. Las Piñas, Parañaque, Malabon, Pasay, Pateros, Navotas, and Caloocan likewise implemented suspensions or remote learning shifts for all grade levels as monsoon rains intensified.
Central Luzon and Provincial Adjustments Due to Habagat Floods
Outside the capital region, provinces in Central Luzon and surrounding areas also halted in-person instruction. In Bulacan, Calumpit, Hagonoy, and Paombong suspended in-person classes for all levels. Neighboring Pampanga saw widespread adjustments: Angeles City suspended face-to-face classes in all levels, while Candaba utilized modular classes in specific schools including San Agustin Elementary School, Candaba Elementary School, Pasig Elementary School, Paralaya Elementary School, Bambang Elementary School, Mandasig Elementary School, Pansinao Elementary School, Gulap Elementary School, Lanang Elementary School, Pasig High School, Paralaya High School, Lanang High School, and the Pampanga State University (PamSU) – Candaba Campus. San Simon implemented all-levels alternative learning modes (though the Concepcion Integrated School scheduled face-to-face classes from Sept. 7-11), Sto. Tomas shifted to alternative learning modes, and San Fernando shifted to online and modular distance learning for morning classes. Macabebe, Magalang, and Sasmuan also suspended face-to-face classes in all levels.
Pampanga also observed regional schedule adjustments for an anniversary milestone. The entire province of Pampanga suspended work in all government offices and classes in all levels in public and private schools, effective at 12:01 p.m. on September 8, 2026, in connection with the 70th Canonical Coronation Anniversary of Virgen de los Remedios, the Patron of the province. Meanwhile, local entities in Cavite—including Naic, General Trias City, Alfonso, Amadeo, and Bacoor City—implemented complete halts to in-person classes across all levels.
Southern Tagalog and Pangasinan Weather Response
Provinces south of Manila experienced similar conditions. In Batangas, municipalities including Balayan, Lemery, Lian, Calatagan, Nasugbu, Taal, Tuy, and Calaca halted in-person classes across all levels and shifted students to alternative learning modalities.
In Pangasinan, localized shifts mirrored the broader regional pattern. Municipalities such as Malasiqui, Binmaley, San Carlos City, and Calasiao transitioned to alternative learning modes (ALMs) for all levels across public and private institutions.
Tracking a Month of Repeated Monsoon Disruptions
The September suspensions follow a familiar pattern established earlier in the season. Local government units had previously announced widespread class suspensions on August 28, 2026, when habagat rains forced schools across multiple regions to suspend face-to-face instruction. On August 28, affected areas in Metro Manila included Caloocan, Malabon, the City of Manila, Marikina, Quezon City (for preschool to senior high school), San Juan, and Valenzuela. Central Luzon areas with suspensions that day included Bataan (preschool to senior high school), Bulacan (Calumpit and Hagonoy), Pampanga (Angeles City, Candaba across specific schools, Macabebe, Magalang, Mexico across specific elementary schools, Minalin, San Simon, and Sto. Tomas), and Nueva Ecija. Additional suspensions on August 28 covered Palauig in Zambales, as well as Atok, Bakun, and Buguias in Benguet within the Cordillera Administrative Region.
