DepEd logs 2,193 confirmed cases of COVID-19 among personnel
The Department of Education (DepEd) has recorded more than 2,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases among its personnel.
This was relayed by Negros Oriental 1st District Rep. Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong, vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, who defended the Department of Education’s P606. 47-billion budget for 2021.
“So far, there are confirmed cases of 2,193 personnel that were affected by COVID,” she told the plenary after ACT Teachers partylist Rep. France Castro asked about the confirmed COVID-19 infections among public educators and employees.
Of the total 2,193 cases nationwide, 551 of which are active cases, she said.
Limkaichong said the Deped logged more than 1,584 recoveries and 48 deaths.
Castro said she has written DepEd regional directors to know the COVID19 statistics per region and only the directors from Region IV-A (CALABARZON) and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) responded to her request.
She noted that in the National Capital Region (NCR), there were 100 reported cases among DepEd personnel.
While, Region IV-A had 13 cases, Region VII, 21; Regions II (Cagayan Valley) and X (Northern Mindanao), one each.
“Tatlo po ang Cebu teachers sa Liloan town, northern Cebu ang nag COVID positive due to module distribution, 10 teachers from Ilagan City in Isabela,” Castro said.
(Three Cebu teachers from Liloan town, Northern Cebu who became COVID-positive due to module distribution, 10 teachers from Ilagan City in Isabela.)
Castro asked the DepEd to ensure that financial and medical assistance will be extended to its COVID-19 positive personnel.
"The Department of Education should ensure free healthcare services are available for teachers as they push for the continuity of classes amid the pandemic. Teachers are the frontliners in the delivery of education for the youth,” she said.
"Now more than ever, the Department of Education must ensure that teachers' rights under the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers and other pertinent laws on occupational health are realized, as classes resume and dozens of teachers report to have been exposed to or have contacted the COVID-19 virus.”