Bong Go wants students’ welfare upheld as full face-to-face classes return in November

Chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography Sen. Bong Go reiterated the need to properly implement necessary health guidelines to ensure that students can safely return to full face-to-face classes beginning November.

According to the Department of Education Order No. 44 signed by Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte on 17 October, all public schools shall implement five-day physical classes by 2 November. On the other hand, private schools may also implement face-to-face classes or continue with blended learning.

Acknowledging how physical classes can make students more productive and promote collaborative learning, Go underscored the need for students, educators, and school officials to remain vigilant and adherent to the health protocols, especially in the face of new COVID-19 variants.

He then reassured that the government continues to strengthen its pandemic efforts and likewise encouraged parents to ensure that their children are well protected from the threats of the virus by letting them participate in the national inoculation drive if eligible.

"Dapat maimplementa ito nang maayos para hindi malagay sa alanganin ang kaligtasan at kalusugan ng mga kabataan. Kahit ayaw nating maantala ang klase nila, importanteng ligtas ang mga estudyante. Health and safety pa rin ang importante. Sa kagustuhan nating makapag-aral ang mga bata, huwag nating kalimutan na unahin palagi ang interes, kapakanan at buhay nila at ng bawat Pilipino," stressed Go.

"Bilang isang magulang din, prayoridad ko ang proteksyunan ang mga bata. Unang-una, hindi maikakaila na mayroon pa ring mga hindi pa bakunado. Pangalawa, hindi natin kontrolado 'yung galaw nila, at pangatlo, baka mag-back to zero na naman tayo kung sakaling magkahawahan na naman," he cited.

Go then reminded school authorities to make certain that they efficiently and effectively implement necessary health and safety protocols.

The senator likewise expressed his confidence that, with proper guidance from DepEd and the Department of Health, the implementation of in-person classes will be a success and will open more opportunities for the country. Nevertheless, Go reiterated that the safety and welfare of students should always be a top priority.