KALIBO, Aklan – The municipal mayor of Malinao town asked the Department of Education to issue guidelines on the implementation of the "no classes rule" to prevent abuses.

Malinao Mayor Wilbert Ariel Igoy said this rule might be abused by local officials, thus, the need to provide them with guidelines to effectively implement the new policy.

Earlier, DepEd announced that local chief executives now have the authority to cancel classes during typhoons, other calamities and disasters.

"To my mind, the DepEd gave the authority to the local mayors being heads of the municipal disaster coordinating councils," Igoy said.

"I am accepting the responsibility but I want to know details of the guidelines on the suspension of classes and its possible effects. I know DepEd has a standard policy in extending classes if it has issued earlier suspension orders," Igoy added.

He said he is also concerned about the holding of classes on Sundays if LGUs issue suspension orders, adding the DepEd observes a minimum number of school days for school children every year.*PNA