Gatchalian urges strict enforcement of COVID-19 protocols as DepEd starts pilot face-to-face classes

While Senator Win Gatchalian hailed the start of the pilot run for limited face-to-face classes in basic education, he emphasized the need to ensure that mitigation measures are strictly enforced to prevent COVID-19 transmission in schools.

The lawmaker cited the importance of maintaining well-ventilated spaces and adequate facilities for water, sanitation, and hygiene. He also reiterated the need for local government units to have an active contact tracing and surveillance system. On top of these measures, Gatchalian pressed that all teachers and eligible learners should be inoculated against COVID-19 to boost the confidence of parents and communities on reopening schools.

"Matapos ang mahigit isang taon na walang face-to-face classes, sa wakas ay sinimulan na natin ang unti-unting pagbabalik ng mga mag-aaral sa kanilang mga paaralan. Kasabay nito, dapat prayoridad pa rin natin ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral at mga guro," said Gatchalian.

The chairman of the Basic Education, Arts, and Culture in the Senate is visiting some participating schools today, the first day of the pilot run.

As the government eyes to expand the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes next year, Gatchalian is also raising the need for the 2022 Department of Education (DepEd) budget to prioritize the safe reopening of schools.

Gatchalian earlier flagged that under the P5.4 billion allotted by the National Expenditure Program (NEP) 2022 for Basic Education Facilities, only P358 million was allotted for Priority School Health Facilities which is meant for the construction, replacement, repair, and rehabilitation of water systems, handwashing facilities, toilet facilities, and other health and sanitation-related facilities. According to Gatchalian, this allocation might not be enough to cover 7,292 elementary schools, 2,082 junior high schools, and 2,085 senior high schools that still lack access to basic handwashing facilities.

Gatchalian has also proposed to use alert levels assigned to LGUs as a basis for allowing face-to-face classes.

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Pagpapatupad ng COVID-19 protocols sa face-to-face classes dapat higpitan---Gatchalian

Habang pinapurihan ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang pagsisimula ng pilot run ng limited face-to-face classes sa basic education, binigyang diin niya na dapat ipatupad pa rin nang mahigpit ang health protocols upang maiwasan ang hawaan ng COVID-19 sa mga paaralan.

Tinukoy ni Gatchalian ang kahalagahan ng maayos na ventilation at sapat na pasilidad para sa water, sanitation, at hygiene (WASH). Dapat din aniyang magkaroon ng maayos na contract tracing at surveillance system ang mga local government units (LGUs). Higit sa lahat, dapat aniyang bakunahan lahat ng mga guro at mga mag-aaral na nasa tamang edad. Ito ay upang tumaas din ang kumpiyansa ng mga magulang at mga komunidad sa muling pagbubukas ng mga paaralan.

"Matapos ang mahigit isang taon na walang face-to-face classes, sa wakas ay sinimulan na natin ang unti-unting pagbabalik ng mga mag-aaral sa kanilang mga paaralan. Kasabay nito, dapat prayoridad pa rin natin ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral at mga guro," ani Gatchalian.

Nakatakdang dumalaw ang chairman ng Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture sa ilang mga paaralan ngayong araw, ang unang araw ng pilot test ng limited face-to-face classes.

Habang inaasahan naman ng gobyerno na palalawigin sa susunod na taon ang pilot implementation ng limited face-to-face classes, pinatitiyak naman ni Gatchalian na magiging prayoridad sa 2022 budget ng Department of Education (DepEd) ang ligtas na pagbubukas ng mga paaralan.

Matatandaang pinuna ni Gatchalian na sa ilalim ng mahigit limang bilyong (5.4) pisong inilaan ng National Expenditure Program (NEP) 2022 para sa Basic Education Facilities, mahigit tatlong daan at limampung (358) milyong piso lamang ang inilaan para sa Priority School Health Facilities. Ito ay para sa pagpapatayo, pagpapalit, at pagkukumpuni ng mga water system, handwashing facilities, toilet facilities, at iba pang health at sanitation-related facilities.

Ayon kay Gatchalian, baka kulangin ang naturang halaga para sa mahigit pitong libong (7,292) paaralan sa elementarya, mahigit dalawang libo (2,082) sa junior high school, at mahigit dalawang libo (2,085) rin sa senior high school na wala pang sapat na pasilidad para sa paghugas ng kamay.

Ipinanukala rin ni Gatchalian na gawing batayan ang mga alert levels na itinalaga sa mga LGUs sa pagpili ng mga lugar na maaaring magsagawa ng face-to-face classes.

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