09/08/2026
๐ฃNUSP CORDI TO HEI ADMINISTRATIONS: PRIORITIZE STUDENT SAFETY, HEED THE CALLS OF YOUR STUDENTS!
The National Union of Students of the PhilippinesโCordillera amplifies the unified calls of student councils and student leaders across Baguio-Benguet for immediate and concrete action from higher education institutions amid the continuing impacts of the Southwest Monsoon.
While class suspensions have been declared in several institutions, many students remain affected by disrupted transportation routes, landslides and flooding, prolonged power interruptions, unstable connectivity, and limited access to essential services. These conditions continue to affect studentsโ ability to safely travel, access their campuses, and meet academic and administrative requirements.
With these circumstances persisting, HEI administrations must ensure that institutional policies and operations respond to the actual conditions faced by their students and constituents. NUSP Cordi calls on local HEI administrations to:
1. EXTEND THE SUSPENSION OF CLASSES UNTIL AUGUST 12
Local HEIs must extend the suspension of classes and academic activities at least until August 12 to provide students and faculty sufficient time to ensure their safety and recover from the continuing impacts of the weather disturbance.
Some students may remain stranded in lower areas due to disruptions along major routes such as Kennon Road, Naguilian Road, Marcos Highway, and Halsema Road, while landslides, rockfalls, flooding, and other road hazards continue to threaten safe travel to and from Baguio.
2. URGENTLY IMPLEMENT IMMEDIATE AND MAXIMUM ACADEMIC EASE
HEIs must immediately implement maximum academic leniency for students affected by the weather crisis. This must include reasonable extensions of deadlines, flexibility in attendance, adjustments to examinations and submissions, consideration for missed activities, and alternative arrangements for requirements that students cannot accomplish because of circumstances beyond their control.
The University of the Cordilleras USC has emphasized the need for greater academic leniency, including easing deadlines and take-home requirements, while also working toward addressing absences incurred by students who were affected by delayed class suspensions. SLU KASAMA/SSC similarly calls for consideration in attendance, examinations, duties, deadlines, and submissions, recognizing that students experiencing power outages, flooding, landslides, and transportation disruptions cannot be expected to maintain normal academic performance.
Moreover, asynchronous learning should not be treated as an automatic solution. For students without electricity, stable internet connection, sufficient mobile data, or means to charge their devices, an online requirement remains an inaccessible academic requirement. At this time, no student shall be penalized for being unable to fulfill academic obligations due to the effects of the inclement weather.
3. PROVIDE FREE AND SAFE ACCESS TO BASIC AND ESSENTIAL CAMPUS FACILITIES
We recommend that HEIs open designated campus spaces and provide safe access to essential facilities for students affected by prolonged disruptions. Saint Louis University and Benguet State University have already made campus facilities available to students amid the current situation.
Students experiencing blackouts and connectivity interruptions need access to electricity, charging stations, internet or Wi-Fi, water, communication facilities, and safe spaces where they can temporarily stay and address their basic needs.
This has already been raised by student councils across institutions. The UB SSC is pushing for access to designated campus spaces and charging stations for students experiencing blackouts and internet loss. The UP Baguio USC has likewise called for the opening of campus facilities like the UP Baguio Cafeteria, including designated spaces as temporary shelters and charging hubs. SLU KASAMA/SSC has further called for the maximization of university facilities such as the SLU Dormitory or other facilities as safe spaces and, where necessary, the use of appropriate facilities as temporary evacuation centers.
At the same time, HEIs must ensure that security guards, maintenance personnel, and other workers tasked with managing these facilities are adequately protected and supported.
4. ENSURE THE CONTINUATION OF A SAFE AND FLEXIBLE ENROLLMENT PROCESS
For institutions currently conducting enrollment, HEIs must ensure that students affected by the weather emergency can complete enrollment without being required to undertake unsafe travel.
Online and alternative enrollment mechanisms must remain available, while appropriate extensions and accommodations must be provided to students who are unable to physically report to campus. The UP Baguio USC, SLU KASAMA/SSC, and UB SSC have likewise raised the need for continuous yet accessible and flexible enrollment arrangements.
5. PROVIDE IMMEDIATE AND ORGANIZED RELIEF ASSISTANCE
HEIs must establish mechanisms for identifying students directly affected by the weather emergency and facilitating access to immediate assistance. Through their Offices of Student Affairs and other appropriate offices, institutions should coordinate with relevant university offices and local authorities to provide or facilitate access to food, water, temporary shelter, communication and charging facilities, and other essential support. SLU KASAMA/SSC has likewise called for coordinated relief and emergency assistance for affected students, including access to basic necessities and university facilities.
HEIs should also establish clear channels through which students can report urgent needs and access available assistance.
NUSP Cordillera stands with the student councils and student bodies across the city and the region and in calling on local HEI administrations to act with urgency, flexibility, and compassion!
THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF STUDENTS AND UNIVERSITY CONSTITUENTS MUST COME FIRST!
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