Guv supports resumption of classes but…

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

While he supports the Department of Education’s (DepEd) plans for “blended learning” in School Year 2020-2021, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. still thinks that classes should be postponed while the national and local government units (LGUs) try to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Defensor said Monday that he has yet to meet with DepEd officials, but he is adamant that classes should be postponed in the meantime to lessen the risks of transmitting COVID-19 to children.

“We are supporting the DepEd’s proposal for blended learning, but I still feel that it would be better if we hold off on that for a while. I haven’t met with the DepEd yet on their levels of preparation. They say they are prepared? That’s very good, but in the meantime, I maintain my stance. The things which we can hold off so we wouldn’t have to increase monitoring because we’ve increased the movement of our people, we should continue to hold them off,” Defensor said.

The governor also said that the economy should also be a major consideration before deciding on the resumption of classes.

“Every time we decide on those things, my question regarding the schools, because I’m not 100 percent sure, is that what are the effects of the things we are holding off or slowing down on our economy? I’m sure the national government is also guided by the question. There will be an effect, even to private schools because if they don’t earn, they can’t pay their staff. There are also collateral businesses inside and surrounding them. How big will it be for them, that if we hold off or slow down, what help can we give them? That’s how you decide on that,” he added.

Some areas of the province remain COVID-free, but Defensor said he believes that the national government will equally apply its rules on the operation of classes.

“When you decide on this, you have to adjust to the circumstances of the local government units, but we can’t apply one rule to schools in one place and another rule to schools in another place. The national government won’t agree with that,” he said.

Making sure that the economy operates while keeping an eye on the province’s COVID-19 situation at the same time, Defensor said the national government would ultimately decide on whether or not classes should resume.

“Every time we stop something, we go to the economy. We need to look at the economy as well, so that while we’re doing that, all the resources and attention of the government, whether or not it’s the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) or the task forces, should be focused on the containment of COVID-19. Let’s survive 2020 while also sustaining the economy. That’s what I’m looking at. But of course, I don’t decide on that, because the national government will decide on the opening of classes,” he said.

He also mentioned the different situations of the city and province of Iloilo.

“Iloilo City may have a different view because it’s a different economic setting. There are some saying that there are far-flung areas in the province that don’t have confirmed COVID-19 cases which can open physical classes,” he said.

Defensor previously called for the postponement of classes, but he also expressed readiness to help the DepEd if it pursues the resumption of classes.