Vice President Sara Duterte took a visit in Limasawa Island in Southern Leyte, where she inspected a public elementary school ahead of the Aug. 22 school opening.
Duterte, who serves as Education secretary in a concurrent capacity, met with school officials and some faculty of the Triana Elementary School on Wednesday, Aug. 10, to discuss their preparations for the in-person classes.
She made rounds at the school that was damaged by Typhoon Odette in December of last year.
The Vice President explained the importance of face-to-face classes to the progress of the young learners as well as the Department of Education’s (DepEd) measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infections.
Under DepEd Department Order 34, schools will implement social distancing and the requirement for the wearing of face masks in public places, among other minimum health protocols that shall be observed in schools.
Duterte also said that DepEd will closely coordinate with the Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the safety of students.
“Sa atong (In our) DO, distancing shall be implemented whenever possible. Nag-coordinate pud mi sa (we’ve coordinated with) DOH,” she told the teachers.
Duterte has acknowledged the urgent rehabilitation of the damaged Triana Elementary School.
But in her response, Education District-in-charge Judilyn Kangleon said the school opening in the island would still push through as scheduled.
“Pwede naman ma’am kay na naay trapal (We can hold classes because we have tents),” Kangleon was quoted as saying by Duterte’s office.
She gave assurance to teachers and students that the repair of their school would be one of government priorities— along with other damaged public schools in Visayas and Mindanao.
Duterte’s visit to Triana Elementary School was part of her two-day trip to Eastern Visayas, where she also made a stop at the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) satellite office in Tacloban.