Padilla: Protect schoolkids vs rainy day diseases
AS the new schoolyear starts on Aug. 22, Monday, with face-to-face classes, Senator Robinhood C. Padilla called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH) to ensure the safety of children not just against COVID-19 but also against dengue and other rainy-day diseases.
Padilla reminded the DepEd that the safety of Filipino children is just as important as their education noting that strict health protocols are in place in the Senate, yet senators and employees have been infected with Covid 19.
“As our young learners start going to school, our concern is not just their education but also their safety,” Padilla said at the hearing of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.
He urged the DepEd to stay proactive through backup plans.
“Dito sa Senado, lahat may sinusunod na protocol. Natamaan pa rin kami. Ang tanong ko, anong backup plan? Halimbawa dumami ang kaso, 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 said.
Revsee Escobedo, DepEd Undersecretary for Field Operations, assured Padilla 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 it will continue to fight corruption through an anti-corruption committee.
“Noong nakaraang administrasyon, nagtayo ng anti-corruption committee ang DepEd. Kumusta na ito? Ito ba ipapatuloy pa rin, ito ba nandiyan pa?” he asked.
DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said they plan to revive and possibly expand the committee. “Balak naming ipagpatuloy ito,” he said.
