Government agencies should ensure the health of children not just against Covid-19 but also against dengue and other wet season diseases, as they start the new school year on Aug. 22, Monday, with face-to-face classes.
This was the call made Friday, Aug. 19 by Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla to the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH) three days before the start of classes.
"Pasukan na ito, ang usapin hindi lang patungkol lang sa edukasyon yung safety ng ating mga mag-aaral (As our young learners start going to school, our concern is not just their education but also their safety)," Padilla said during the hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
He noted that while the DOH has set protocols against the spread of Covid, it must stay proactive through backup plans.
Padilla pointed out that in the Senate, strict health protocols are in place, yet some senators and employees were still infected.
"Dito sa Senado, lahat may sinusunod na protocol. Natamaan pa rin kami. Ang tanong ko, anong backup plan? Halimbawa dumami , tayo ba babalik sa online (Here in the Senate, everyone follows health protocols, yet many were still infected. My question is, is there a backup plan? What if the cases go up again, are we going back to online classes)?" he asked.
Revsee Escobedo, DepEd Undersecretary for Field Operation, assured Padilla that they have such plans including a return to the blended learning system if the number of cases goes up.
Escobedo added teachers have been reminded to ensure the health of learners.
Meanwhile, Padilla sought assurance from the DepEd that continues to fight corruption through a dedicated committee.
"Noong nakaraang administrasyon, nagtayo ng anti-corruption committee ang DepEd. Kumusta na ito? Ito ba ipapatuloy pa rin, ito ba nandiyan pa (In the past administration, the DepEd set up an anti-corruption committee. How is it now? Will it be continued)?" he asked.
DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III replied they plan to revive and possibly expand the committee. "Balak naming ipagpatuloy ito (We will continue its work)," he said.