Tacloban university suspends uniform policy amid extreme heat

The Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) in Tacloban City temporarily suspended the mandatory wearing of prescribed school uniforms from Sept. 10 to Oct. 2, 2026, as a heat-safety measure amid extreme heat conditions. (Photo from EVSU Facebook page) TACLOBAN CITY — The Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) temporarily suspended the mandatory uniform policy as a heat-safety measure, while the mayor of Carigara, Leyte, redirected part of his office’s travel and seminar funds to provide air-coolers for the campus classrooms. Under Memorandum No. 09-06-2026 issued through the Office of the University President, the wearing of prescribed university uniforms is suspended from Sept. 10 to Oct. 2, 2026, citing prevailing extreme heat index conditions and the health and safety of students and employees. During the suspension, students and employees may wear comfortable, modest, weather-appropriate clothing, provided these remain consistent with university policies on propriety and decorum. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Extreme heat raises concerns in some Agusan del Sur schools EVSU also reminded everyone to wear their official university identification cards at all times while inside university premises. The directive covers all EVSU offices, schools, and campuses. In Carigara, Mayor Eduard “Ed” Ong Jr. said he chose to prioritize the comfort of students by using funds originally intended for his office’s travel and seminars to purchase air-coolers for classrooms at the EVSU-Carigara Campus. “Instead of traveling or spending on seminars, I chose to have air-coolers distributed to all classrooms of the Eastern Visayas State University-Carigara Campus,” Ong said. Article continues after this advertisement He said the funds used to purchase the air-coolers came from his office’s travel and seminar budget. “Students’ comfort is more important than personal travel,” Ong said. Article continues after this advertisement READ: 2 Eastern Visayas universities drop uniform rule as heat index soars The move comes as schools across Eastern Visayas continue to deal with high heat conditions, which can affect students’ concentration, comfort, and health, particularly in classrooms with limited ventilation. EVSU is the region’s state university, with its main campus in Tacloban City and five campuses outside the city—in Burauen, Carigara, Ormoc, Tanauan and Dulag. The university has more than 20,000 students, based on its reported second-semester enrollment for School Year 2025-2026. The temporary uniform suspension allows students to wear lighter and more comfortable clothing while the university and its campuses implement measures to address the effects of extreme heat. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. University officials also directed all offices, schools, campuses, and personnel to ensure the memorandum is properly disseminated and strictly observed./coa