The Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) and the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) launched on Tuesday, April 5, the BIDA Kid campaign to promote a safe return to schools amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
DepEd Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral said the program aims to strengthen the implementation of the health and safety protocols in the schools as the Department shifts to the progressive expansion of the limited face-to-face classes
"The BIDA campaign program is anchored on the shared responsibility framework that underscores the importance of observing the health and safety protocols of all the stakeholders in the Department at all times," Cabral said.
"If all people would strictly adhere, observe, and follow the prescribed protocols of the government, they are, in essence, protecting the entire community most especially those belonging to the most at-risk population," he added.
Cabral noted that the BIDA Kid campaign strengthens the 3Bs health reminder of the DOH: Bakuna (vaccine), Bayanihan (cooperation), and BIDA, which stands for Bestfriend natin ang mask (mask is our bestfriend), Ingatan at hugasan ang mga kamay (wash and take care of our hands), Dumistansya Muna (observe physical distancing), and Airflow ay panatilihin (maintain proper airflow).
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said the BIDA Kid campaign is another initiative to keep children protected as face-to-face classes slowly return.
"One of our utmost priorities is the safety of our learners amid the risk of Covid-19," Briones stressed.
The Education secretary said there are over 17,254 schools now conducting face-to-face classes nationwide.
"This is good news. However, we would like to emphasize that even if we're already launching face-to-face classes, particularly in the public sector, we're also continuing the blended learning approach to education," Briones added.
"We're not giving up on online education. We're not giving up on technology. So we'll say that what we are instituting in the Philippines is a blend of face-to-face and technology," she added.