Malacañang suspends face-to-face classes in several areas due to habagat, Indonesia haze

MANILA, September 4 ------ Malacañang suspended face-to-face classes in several areas in Luzon today, September 4, 2026, citing heavy rains and the haze from forest fires in Indonesia.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 134, the following areas "alternative learning modes and learning continuity measures shall be implemented at all levels in public and private educational institutions" in the following areas:

- National Capital Region

- Ilocos Norte

- llocos Sur

- La Union

- Pangasinan

- Abra

- Benguet

- Zambales

- Bataan

- Bulacan

- Tarlac

- Pampanga

- Cavite

- Laguna

- Batangas

- Occidental Mindoro

"Further thereto, the localized cancellation or suspension of classes in other areas may be implemented by their respective Local Chief Executives, pursuant to relevant laws, rules, and regulation," the memorandum read. The suspension of face-to-face classes comes upon the recommendations of the state’s disaster agency, the Palace said.

The said areas are expected to be drenched by the "continued heavy rainfall associated with the enhanced Southwest Monsoon" and also remain affected by "poor air quality" linked to the "haze from the severe forest and peatland fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia," it said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com