DILG chief: No more jokes on class suspension announcements
Credit to Author: Emmanuel Tupas| Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0800
MANILA, Philippines — Following criticisms from netizens and Vice President Sara Duterte, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he will not make jokes for now in his public announcements.
“Mga abangers, ‘di muna ako magbibiro. Kahit si VP pinuna ako,” Remulla said in a Facebook post.
Duterte earlier reminded Remulla that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) must maintain professionalism after using “inappropriate” tone and language in his public announcements on class suspensions last Tuesday.
While some netizens also expressed disapproval, Remulla defended his communication style, saying it helped him connect with the public during his tenure as governor of Cavite.
Meanwhile, he expressed gratitude to President Marcos for backing him amid the controversy, saying it affirms the Chief Executive’s trust and confidence in his leadership at the DILG.
“I actually feel embarrassed. The President should never have to defend a secretary,” Remulla said in an interview over dzMM.
Despite his casual tone, Remulla stressed that the key point is the timely dissemination of information.
“Some people may not like how I deliver the message, but at least the public receives the information they need as soon as possible,” he said.
To ensure learning continuity for students despite their displacement, the Department of Education (DepEd) has begun implementing alternative mode of learning in evacuation centers.
According to Angara, at least 442 schools continue to house families affected by tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, Emong and the southwest monsoon.
Among the schools implementing alternative learning are San Joaquin and Rosario Elementary in Pasig, which now also function as temporary shelters.
During his visits to flood-affected schools in Malabon and Navotas, the education secretary stressed the need for immediate learning alternatives.
“There are schools, which are able to implement emergency protocols and we have teachers who show dedication but we cannot deny that it is difficult for some areas to recover immediately. We need to provide more assistance to them, especially in providing learning materials, psychosocial aid, and temporary space for schools,” Angara said.
Based on the latest data from the DepEd, a total of 24,649 schools across the country have suspended in-person classes due to heavy rains and flooding.
A total of 442 schools in the National Capital Region, Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A, 4-B, 6, 9, Cordillera Administrative Region and Negros Island remain in use as evacuation centers. — Bella Cariaso