Opening of classes in Calabarzon ‘peaceful’
CAMP BGEN. VICENTE P. LIM –The first day of the opening of “face-to-face” classes within the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) region from elementary to senior high school down to college level in different cities and the towns were “generally peaceful” as the Philippine National Police (PNP) conducted provided “Ligtas Balik Eskwela 2022-2023”.
The Department of Education (DepEd) marked August 22, 2022, as the start of limited face-to-face classes at all levels, wherein PNP tasked all units to provide security and other public safety coverage in different schools to ensure the successful and orderly conduct of “Balik Eskwela,” after more than two years of the pandemic that kept the students away from learning institutions.
Before the opening of classes, Police Regional Office 4A (PRO 4A) Calabarzon Regional Director Brigadier General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. instructed chiefs of police in Region 4A to coordinate with local officials and participate in security and safety planning for the anticipated event.
Nartatez said that he expects his police to volunteer to assist the school administrations and seek help from other government agencies, local government units, and Sangguniang Barangays to help with traffic management and implementing minimum health protocols.
Public assistance desks were already in place near the schools aside from those who regularly patrol the street and visit transport hubs and areas of convergence where the public can quickly seek police assistance.
A total of 6,542 police personnel with 4,066 force multipliers were deployed regionwide to provide security to the students, parents, and teachers. The schools were assisted and visited by cops in the early morning of the first day of classes.
Police in schools raised the national flag and lead the pledge of “Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas”.
They also distributed leaflets on crime prevention and safety tips on being safe as one travels or moves from home to school. These acts align with PRO 4A’s objective of raising the spirit of nationalism among the pupils and students and enhancing police visibility in schools to prevent scrupulous individuals from victimizing the children.
More than a month ago, different police units in the region joined “Brigada Eskwela” to ensure that schools will be ready and safe for the students to return to face-to-face classes. Based on the report submitted by lower units, PRO 4A has recorded 1,124 Brigada Eskwela activities joined by the 5,684 law enforcers and a total of P389,300.00 worth of monetary and non-monetary assistance extended to schools.
School principals in the region, in their messages to the students during the first day of classes, have expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the personnel of the PRO Calabarzon who have joined them from Brigada Eskwela until the opening of classes today.
Nartatez, in return, assured that Calabarzon police will actively participate in school activities and programs and will always be visible in school vicinities to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and even parents.
“Our children’s growth and social development are vital, hence we, the police, must participate in this endeavor. Let us always keep in mind that this young generation will be our country’s future. It is our priority to keep our schools safe and secured for our students and pupils to maximize their learning ability and eliminate trauma that criminals may cause them if left unattended,” Nartatez said.
