By Freddie Velez  CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – Recognizing the threat posed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and in light of the community quarantine being imposed in the National Capital Region, Governor Daniel R. Fernando has extended the class suspension in all levels, both public and private schools in Bulacan to April 14. In an executive order signed Saturday, March 14, Fernando said that the previously ordered suspension will be extended to April 14 subject to further notice and directives from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the national government. Also stated in the EO were the duties and responsibilities of the school administrations, parents and guardians. School officials and administrators were instructed to immediately sanitize and enhance the cleanliness in the school surroundings and facilities to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19; prevent students from entering school premises for the duration of the class suspension; and adopt measures such as transitioning to online classes whenever possible or home assignments to satisfy the academic requirements. Parents and guardians were called upon to monitor their children and keep them safe within their residences and away from malls, markets, movie houses and other crowded places and that the EO should take effect immediately. Moreover, the governor also sent off members of the military and police force in Bulacan, Saturday night, to assist the Bulakenyos during these trying times. “Hindi biro ang hinihingi namin sa inyo dahil alam naming maging kayo ay hindi makakaiwas sa sakit na ito. Subalit sa inyo kami umaasa at nagtitiwala sa panahong kailangan ng ating bayan ng mga bayaning titindig at magtatanggol sa ating lipunan. Kasabay ng aming pasasalamat ay ang palalagay ng aming tiwala sa inyong mga kamay,” Fernando's message to the men in uniform. Fernando also believed that community quarantine was the most effective way to control the virus, hence the province needed to be able to alleviate the risk of transmission by restricting the movement of people coming in and out of Bulacan. Meanwhile, Vice Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado on his part is appealing to all Bulakenyos to follow the guidelines of the local officials to avoid COVID-19. "Ginagawa po lahat ng ating gobyerno lalung lalo na nang ating Pangulong Duterte kung papaano natin maiiwasan ang salot na dumapo sa halos buong mundo, kaya kung sumunod tayo sa mga guidelines ay mapoptotektahan natin ang bawa't isa sa atin," Alvarado said.