Class Suspensions Continue in Parts of Pampanga and Benguet as Habagat Rains Persist
Several local governments in Pampanga and Benguet suspended face-to-face classes on Aug. 27 as the southwest monsoon continued to bring a risk of heavy rain across parts of Luzon.
01 Event
Inquirer reported that San Simon and Santo Tomas in Pampanga suspended in-person classes in public and private schools and shifted to alternative learning modes through Aug. 28. Kibungan in Benguet also suspended face-to-face classes from preschool through senior high school and shifted to alternative learning arrangements through Aug. 28.
02 What Changed?
The suspensions reflect a continuing response to wet conditions rather than a single isolated weather event. PAGASA has forecast occasional or scattered rains over parts of Luzon through Aug. 28 because of habagat, while several communities are still dealing with the effects of recent flooding.
Local governments are making decisions based on their own conditions, which means suspensions can differ from one municipality to another even within the same province.
03 Why It Matters
Class suspensions affect more than school attendance. They change commuting plans, childcare arrangements, meal schedules and internet requirements for households that suddenly need to shift to remote or alternative learning.
For students and parents, confusion can arise when unofficial social-media posts circulate before a local government or school makes a formal announcement. That is especially common during prolonged periods of rain when decisions are made late in the day or early in the morning.
04 What It Means for You
Parents and students should rely on official LGU, school or education-office announcements for suspension decisions. If an area shifts to alternative learning, check whether the school requires online attendance, printed modules or another arrangement.
Workers traveling through the same areas should also monitor local road and flood advisories because school suspensions can be an indicator that conditions are affecting mobility even when general work suspension has not been announced.
05 Numbers + Context
San Simon and Santo Tomas in Pampanga were reported to have suspended face-to-face classes in both public and private schools through Aug. 28. Kibungan in Benguet suspended in-person classes from preschool to senior high school through the same date. Botolan, Zambales also had classes and work suspended for the Feast of Saint Monica, a separate local observance rather than a weather suspension.
Related Earnyx reading: Class and work disruptions often turn into transport and time costs for households. See How Much Is Your Commute Really Costing You? for a broader look at the value of travel time and commuting expenses.
Source: INQUIRER.net report dated Aug. 26, 2026, with PAGASA weather outlook used for broader context.
06 Earnyx Takeaway
The practical lesson is to follow local announcements, not assume one province-wide rule. During habagat periods, conditions can vary sharply by municipality. A reliable routine is to check the LGU and school first, then PAGASA and transport advisories before deciding whether travel is safe or necessary.