#WalangPasok: Class suspensions for Tuesday, August 18, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – (Updated as of 5:51 PM, August 17, 2026) Classes at all levels in public and private schools in several areas will shift to alternative learning modes on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, due to the effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

Malacañang, through Memorandum Circular No. 128, directed the implementation of alternative learning modes in the following areas, unless otherwise directed by their respective local chief executives:

• National Capital Region (NCR)
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Benguet
• Zambales
• Bataan
• Tarlac
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Cavite
• Batangas
• Rizal
• Laguna
• Occidental Mindoro

The memorandum also directed government offices in these areas to implement appropriate alternative work arrangements on August 18.

Agencies involved in basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and other vital services will continue their operations and provide necessary services.

For the private sector, the suspension of work or adoption of alternative work arrangements will be left to the discretion of management.

Class suspensions on August 18, 2026

Several local government units have also announced class suspensions for Tuesday. This list will be updated as soon as local or national authorities release additional advisories.

Metro Manila

• Caloocan City – no face-to-face classes, all levels, public and private
• City of Manila – no face-to-face classes, all levels, public and private
• Marikina City – no face-to-face and online classes, all levels, public and private
• Pasig City – no face-to-face classes, all levels, public and private
• Quezon City – no face-to-face classes, all levels, public and private

Central Luzon

• Pampanga
• Santo Tomas – no face-to-face classes, all levels, public and private; shift to alternative modes of learning; until Thursday, August 20
• San Simon – no face-to-face classes, all levels, public and private; shift to alternative modes of learning; until Thursday, August 20
• Zambales
• Candelaria – no face-to-face classes, all levels, public and private
• Masinloc – all levels, public and private

Ilocos Region

• Pangasinan
• Aguilar – all levels, public and private
• Binmaley – no face-to-face classes, all levels, public and private
• Infanta – no face-to-face classes, all levels, public and private

PAGASA warns of heavy rainfall in several areas due to Habagat

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of possible heavy rainfall in several areas due to the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat from August 17 to 19, 2026.

August 17 to August 18

From today until noon of August 18, rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters is expected in Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan.

Meanwhile, rainfall of 50 to 100 mm may affect Ilocos Sur, Abra, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro.

August 18 to August 19

From noon of August 18 to noon of August 19, rainfall of 100 to 200 mm is forecast over Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.

Areas that may receive 50 to 100 mm include Ilocos Sur, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, and Antique.

Residents in affected areas are advised to remain alert for possible flooding and landslides, particularly in areas vulnerable to these hazards.

Automatic Class Suspensions

The Department of Education (DepEd), through DepEd Order No. 14, s. 2026, provides guidelines for class suspensions during emergencies. School heads are empowered to coordinate with Schools Division Superintendents and Local Government Units (LGUs) in determining appropriate class suspensions based on actual conditions in their respective communities.

The policy allows for granular class suspensions, meaning only affected schools, classrooms, or grade levels may be suspended when necessary instead of imposing division-wide cancellations. It also provides guidance on appropriate learning delivery modes before, during, and after emergencies to ensure continuity of education.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS)

HAYO (Continue)

• Regular face-to-face classes continue when there is no heavy rainfall, flooding, or tropical cyclone threat.

HINAY (Ease-in)

• TCWS No. 1: Kindergarten classes are automatically suspended.
• TCWS No. 2: Kindergarten to Grade 10 classes are automatically suspended.

HINGA (Check-in)

• TCWS No. 3: Work, Alternative Learning System (ALS), and in-person classes at all levels are automatically suspended.

HINTO (Stop)

• TCWS No. 4 or 5: Work, ALS, and in-person classes at all levels are automatically suspended.

Heavy Rainfall Warning

HAYO (Continue)

• Regular face-to-face classes continue when there is no heavy rainfall, flooding, or tropical cyclone threat.

HINAY (Ease-in)

• Yellow Rainfall Warning: Class suspensions may be implemented per grade level at the discretion of the Local Chief Executive (LCE) or other relevant national government agencies.

HINGA (Check-in)

• Orange Rainfall Warning: Work, ALS, and in-person classes at all levels are automatically suspended.

HINTO (Stop)

• Red Rainfall Warning: Work, ALS, and in-person classes at all levels are automatically suspended.

— The Summit Express