The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Region 10 is supporting the move to allow even the unvaccinated elementary and high school students to attend face-to-face classes.
This, as the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-MEID) issued a resolution that allows in-person classroom academic proceedings for students without being required to have the Covid-19 vaccine.
DILG-10 Regional Director Arnel M. Agabe explained that Covid-19 vaccines shall only be administered to students with informed consent signed by their parent/guardian and the assent given by the learner pursuant to applicable Department of Health (DOH) guidelines.
“As much as we want our face-to-face classes to be open to everyone, still, we are advocating for more vaccinated students as we put a premium on their health as well,” Agabe said.
Agabe, chairperson of the Region 10 Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (RIATF-MEID), urged the public and private institutions for basic education to undertake Covid-19 vaccination programs for their learners pursuant to IATF Resolution No. 167-D (s. 2022).
“Per IATF Resolution No. 167-D (s. 2022), Covid-19 vaccination shall not be a requirement for a student to attend face-to-face classes in public and private institutions for basic education,’’ he added.
Agave noted that the basic education schools are enjoined to allow the DOH, in coordination with their respective local government units (LGUs), to facilitate the conduct of COVID-19 vaccination programs in their premises.
Initially, the Department of Education (DepEd) set Aug. 22, 2022 as the start of this school year which ends on July 7, 2023.
The Christmas break will start on Dec. 19 with classes resuming on Jan. 2, 2023.
A mid-year break is also scheduled from Feb. 6 to 10 next year. (Chito A. Chavez)