The Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to reassert its authority over basic education governance amid class suspension orders issued by some local governments.
COCOPEA legal counsel Joseph Noel Estrada stressed that while LGUs enjoy autonomy, they remain subordinate to national laws, with education governance legally vested in DepEd.
The reminder came after Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones suspended face-to-face classes until Oct. 31 for disaster preparedness.
DepEd earlier warned that prolonged suspensions could disrupt student learning and development.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) continued in-person classes and conducted an earthquake drill instead of following the province-wide suspension.
Source: PhilNews24 | October 17, 2025
