MANILA, Philippines — Schools that did not open on Monday, July 29, 2024, may have to hold make-up classes, Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara said.

Angara said two percent of all schools in the country had to postpone classes.

As of 9:30 p.m. on July 28, 842 schools in Regions 1, 3, 4-A, 12, and the National Capital Region have declared that they will not open yet because of the damage incurred from Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon, affecting some 800,000 learners.

Areas that declared class suspensions were the towns of Bauang, Aringay, Balaoan, Luna, Bacnotan, Agoo, Bagulin, Bangar, Caba, San Gabriel, San Juan, Santo Tomas, Sudipen and Tubao in La Union, Sison in Pangasinan, Calumpit in Bulacan, Tanza, Naic, Ternate, Maragondon, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and Alfonso in Cavite, Cabuyao City, Binan City, Sta. Rosa City, Calamba City and San Pedro City in Laguna, Cainta, Montalban, Pililia, San Mateo, and Jalajala in Rizal, and Pasig City.

Three schools in Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija, 18 schools in Bay, Laguna, four schools in Paete, Laguna, and three schools in Tanay also did not open Monday.

"Malungkot ako na kailangan pa rin ipagpaliban ang pasukan sa ibang lugar pero maiintindihan natin yun (I'm saddened that we have to postpone the opening of classes in some areas but we understand that)," Angara told reporters in a chance interview in Carmona National High School, where he monitored the opening of classes.

He said that make-up classes for the missed week may be held on Saturdays.

Data provided by the Department of Education showed that 19.87 million students enrolled for School Year 2024-2025.