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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Gatchalian urges DepEd to ensure graduation rites are COVID-19 free

Gatchalian urges DepEd to ensure graduation rites are COVID-19 free

Published Mar 6, 2020 12:00 am
By Hannah Torregoza  Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure that schools will adhere strictly to health authorities’ advice to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as graduation season kicks off this month. Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on basic education, arts and culture, made the call as the Department of Health (DOH) confirms the fifth case of COVID-19 in the Philippines. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian (Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN) Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) The senator said DepEd’s task force on the novel coronavirus should ensure that protocols are in place before and during graduation and moving-up ceremonies. The World Health Organization (WHO) earlier upgraded its global risk assessment of COVID-19 to “very high,” its top level of risk assessment in terms of spread and impact. The novel coronavirus has already infected 87,137 people in 59 countries. Citing WHO’s planning recommendations for mass gatherings, the lawmaker reiterated the importance of the schools’ constant coordination with local health officials, starting with the undertaking of comprehensive risk assessments. Based on WHO guidelines, he said these assessments should guide the formulation of action plans to mitigate identified risks, the handling of which should be clearly delegated to event organizers and local health care providers. Gatchalian said DepEd should uphold the importance of information dissemination, which should give advice on proper hygiene, detecting symptoms, and access to local health care, among others. He also said systems to identify illness indicators among the participants of these ceremonies should also be in place. Should participants to the rites display COVID-19-like symptoms, Gatchalian said isolation areas or transportation to treatment facilities should be immediately available. “Isang masayang okasyon ang pagtatapos ng ating mga mag-aaral at hindi natin dapat hayaang masira ito ng panganib at pangambang dulot ng COVID-19 (Graduation rites are happy occasions and we should not let them be disrupted by the dangers and worries brought by COVID-19),” Gatchalian said. “Kaya naman sa ating paghahanda, mahalagang gawin natin ang lahat ng posibleng hakbang upang masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mga mag-aaral, mga guro, ilan pang kinatawan ng mga eskwelahan, at mga magulang, (That’s why as part of our preparation, it is important we take all possible steps to ensure the safety of our students, teachers, staff, and the parents).” READ MORE: 2 Filipinos raise current COVID-19 cases to 5
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