City readies school protocols as physical classes resume Nov 2022

The Iloilo City government is preparing protocols in city schools as mandatory face-to-face classes in all public and private schools nationwide is set on Nov 2, 2022.

Iloilo Mayor Jerry Treñas said that 100% of schools in the city have already established handwashing facilities.

“We are looking at the protocols sa schools. Gina-push nga dapat may handwashing facilities sa schools. And diri sa city, based sa report sang aton nga City Architect, 100% na sang schools may handwashing facilities,” he said in a media interview on Monday.

While the city continues to advocate for the administration of Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots, the mayor clarified that the vaccination will not be mandatory in the opening of face-to-face classes.

“The vaccination will not be mandatory. We have to understand, and we have to accept na there are those pa na indi vaccinated. That is why we continue to advocate for everyone to avail of Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots,” he added.

He urged the public to visit the district health centers and have themselves vaccinated, especially the children.

“We need to increase our vaccination turn-out, especially sa mga booster shots in preparation for face-to-face classes,” Treñas said.

Currently, the city government is offering free swab tests for schools who require Covid-19 testing for their face-to-face classes. But once the face-to-face classes resume in November, the mayor said that the schools will have to pay for the swab tests of their students.

“Sa subong may mga naga-face to face nga gapangayo liwat sila test but sa November kon magbalik na kita sa face-to-face classes, waay na kita test, schools will have to pay for their own tests,” he said.

Treñas said that the Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Sec. Sara Duterte told them during his visit in Malacañang that face-to-face classes for all public and private schools nationwide are slated on November 2.

Duterte also made the same pronouncements on Thursday and said that the start of School Year 2022-2023 will be on August 22.

Meanwhile, blended classes will be implemented from August to October, while schools shall shift to the five-day face-to-face classes by November. (DG)