ILOILO CITY – The Western Visayas regional office of the Department of Education (DepEd Region 6) maintained that no health protocols were violated when several official went to launch a program in Boracay Island last month.
“This Office firmly stands that it did not violate any health protocol,” said Dr. Ramir B. Uytico, DepEd Region 6 director.
“The threats of COVID-19 pandemic are exacerbated by infodemic – an outbreak of overabundant false and unverified information, which spreads like wildfire,” Uytico emphasized in a statement.
This was after Mayor Jerry Treñas requested the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) investigate the alleged actions of DepEd Region 6 officials after receiving information from a radio reporter.
Uytico and six others allegedly went to the country’s most popular beach destination located in Aklan province despite having had close contact with a personnel who tested positive for COVID-19 and was assigned at DepEd Region 6 office in Iloilo City.
Based on government protocols, Uytico was not considered a close contact of the DepEd Region 6 personnel who was infected with COVID-19 as he did not have any direct interaction with the person.
“I dutifully observe and practice protocols. Likewise, I do not condone any breach of the same,” Uytico pointed out.
The DepEd Region 6 launched its School Heads Academy, which had minimal people who physically attended and was streamed via DepEd Region 6’s official Facebook page.
Meanwhile, DepEd Region 6 assured that it will continue to deliver the services of the educational sector in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces.