TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite – The Department of Education (DepEd) Cavite and Cavite Philippine National Police (PNP) have expressed their readiness to open schools and welcome students on Monday, August 22, 2022.

In an interview with this People’s Tonight Cavite correspondent with the key persons of DepEd and Cavite PNP, they revealed their preparations for returning students to school after putting their studies in blended learning due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

According to Diana Topacio, chief of Schools Governance and Operations Division of DepEd Cavite, there are 316,254 students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 who are already enrolled in 17 municipalities of the province as of August 19, 2022.

The Cavite cities like Dasmariñas, Imus, Bacoor, General Trias, Trece Martires, Cavite, and Tagaytay has their own divisions.

“We will facilitate blended, online, modular learning and in-campus classes to all levels, but the majority of the class are face-to-face for 40 students per class,” Topacio said.

“Our medical health personnel will roam around the schools to ensure the students and parents comply with the basic safety protocols like physical distancing, proper wearing of face masks, and hand washing,” Topacio added.

Topacio said DepEd officials will also visit each school on Monday with local leaders to inspect and see the additional needs of each classroom and school.

“Malaking bagay po ang mga tulong ng bawat LGU [local government unit] sa pagbabalik eskwela, lalo a po sa Brigada Eskwela po, and also the provincial povernment under Governor Jonvic Remulla sa pagbibigay ng materials for the modular learning,” Topacio stressed.

The Cavite PNP is “on standby” and laid out security plans according to Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Provincial Director P/Lt. Col. Pablito Naganag.

“We have the ‘Oplan Ligtas Balik Eskwela’, we established Public Assistance Desks in seven cities and 16 towns of the province for the safety of students and parents, especially on the first day of school,” Naganag said.

“We also coordinated with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ensure the smooth operation of jeepneys on their route in each town and city and the tricycles,” Naganag added.

“We also coordinated with the local government units (LGUs) and schools on their respective closed-circuit televisions (CCTVs) to monitor the areas for the anti-criminality activities,” Naganag further explained.

Cavite PNP will deploy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and K9 units in limited areas for added security measures with every barangay and force multipliers to assist police with the traffic, especially in school zones.

“You can count on the Cavite Police to be visible on the streets before and during the opening of classes and continue to roam around to ensure the safety of each and every Caviteños,” Naganag said.