Philippine Govt Announces Unified #Walangpasok Hashtag for Class, Work Suspension Announcements

In view of the latest weather disturbances that have resulted in class and work suspensions in Metro Manila and other regions, the Philippine government is asking concerned agencies and organizations to use a unified hashtag in marking social media posts. The use of #walangpasok (which means “no class” or “no work”) will help organizations in their information campaigns during calamities.

Residents carry their belongings as they walk back to their homes along a flooded area in Marikina City, east of Manila, Philippines, Wednesday Aug. 8, 2012. Government has announced a unified hashtag for all class and work suspension announcements. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

The unified hashtag #walangpasok will be used by @govph, @pcdspo, @deped_ph, @ptvph to announce class and work suspensions. We thank media organizations who have committed to using the same unified hashtag in reporting class and work suspensions: @rapplerdotcom @philippinestar @inquirerdotnet @gmanews @ancalerts @News5AKSYON @DZMMTeleRadyo.

Intense rains due to the monsoon flooded more than 90% of Metro Manila and surrounding regions in the week of August 7, 2012. Netizens used social media to coordinate rescue and relief efforts, and to likewise spread the word of class and work suspensions.

Government agencies, local government units and schools have previously been criticized for lack of coordination in class suspensions, which often leads to massive traffic and stranded students. Government believes the use of a unified hashtag will help in “faster, and more reliable, tracking and dissemination of alerts concerning class and work suspensions.”