MANILA, (PIA) -- The Task Force El Niño on Tuesday suggested the conduct of online classes due to the extreme heat experienced in the country.

The Task Force El Niño reminded local governments that the decision is theirs whether to declare a suspension of classes due to the extreme heat.

According to Task Force El Niño Spokesperson and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama, if local officials deemed it is no longer convenient for students and teachers to go to schools due to the extreme heat, they may -consider conducting online classes.

Asec. Villarama cited the situation experienced in Western Visayas, where the local government units (LGUs) there declared the suspension of school, especially city-wide after experiencing the intense heat.

The official also reminded the department order issued by the Department of Education (DepEd) that public and private schools can decide whether to suspend classes, depending on the conditions in their area.

"Based on the order of DepEd, private and public schools have the discretion to suspend classes, depending on the condition in their locality," said Villarama. (PIA-NCR)