Guv favors school reopening in 2021

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – If he had his way, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said Wednesday that he prefers schools to reopen in 2021.

The Department of Education earlier said schools will reopen in August 2021 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

“Let us stay on the safe side. What is one year anyway? Nobody will be left behind,” Lacson said.

The governor is banking on the possibility that a vaccine or even a cure for COVID-19 will be available next year, thus it is safer to reopen schools.

“But for now the threat is still there. For me, one year rest is not so bad. At least, it is safer by then, hopefully there is already a vaccine and cure,” he added.

For now, Lacson said everyone should be cautious and play it safe to avoid contracting the virus.

Based on the DepEd’s proposal, school year 2020-2021 was supposed to begin on August 24, wherein classes may be conducted both physically and virtually depending on the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.