DepEd Revamped Protocols to Prioritize Safety, Uninterrupted Learning in Crisis Situations

Photo Courtesy of DepEd Philippines / Facebook (Uploaded: 4:00 PM - June 06, 2026)

The Department of Education (DepEd) has officially issued DepEd Order (DO) No. 014, s. 2026, establishing the "Guidelines on Learning Continuity in Emergencies."

Signed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara, the new policy shifts the country toward highly localized, hazard-specific suspension protocols while mandating strict measures for emergency distance learning to ensure no student is left behind during crises.

The policy update builds heavily on existing structural baselines, specifically DepEd Order No. 022, s. 2024, to optimize crisis-driven educational frameworks.

The 'HAYO, HINAY, HINGA, HINTO' Framework

At the core of the 2026 guidelines is a new four-tier crisis framework designed to help school heads, alternative learning system (ALS) coordinators, and superintendents gauge necessary educational adjustments:

Hayo (Go): Standard face-to-face instruction continues under normal community conditions.

Hinay (Caution): Localized disruptions prompt modified schedules or a shift to Alternative Delivery Modes (ADMs) via the school's Learning and Service Continuity Plan (LSCP).

Hinga (Check-in): Academic pressure is minimized, standard assessments are paused, and well-being checks or psychosocial support take precedence.

Hinto (Stop): Face-to-face classes and digital workloads are completely frozen due to immediate hazards, prioritizing physical safety and relief over lessons.

Shift to Granular, Localized Suspensions

Under DO 014, s. 2026, DepEd is moving away from blanket, one-size-fits-all cancellations. School heads are now authorized to enforce "granular suspensions."

If a specific barangay faces localized flooding, heavy rain, or infrastructural damage, suspensions can target only the affected grade levels or specific campuses. This localized approach prevents broad, division-wide cancellations across entire cities or provinces when other areas remain safe for learning. School heads will execute these freezes in direct coordination with their respective Local Government Units (LGUs).

Localized Discretion for Complex Hazards

TCWS No. 1: Automatic suspension of Kindergarten in-person classes.

TCWS No. 2: Automatic suspension of in-person classes from Kindergarten to Grade 10.

TCWS No. 3 or higher: Automatic suspension of all K–12 levels, ALS, and school work.

PAGASA Orange or Red Rainfall Warning: Automatic suspension of K–12 and ALS classes before the school day begins. If issued mid-class, schools must safely transition to dismissal or shelter-in-place protocols.

Focus on Mental Health and Teacher Training

To prevent sudden educational shifts from causing extreme academic stress, the mandate orders regional and division offices to actively support the mental health of both students and faculty.

The policy provides widespread capacity building for instructors in trauma-informed teaching and psychological first aid. This ensures that transitions to emergency distance modules are managed smoothly without placing unrealistic workloads on learners and teachers during a crisis.