ILOILO City – Limited face-to-face classes in eight schools in Western Visayas are suspended beginning today. This is because their areas are under pandemic Alert Level 3.
In Western Visayas, the city of Bacolod, the provinces of Aklan, Capiz and Antique, and this city are under such alert level.
Department of Education (DepEd) Region 6 information officer Hernani Escullar Jr. identified these eight schools:
* Aklan – Malinao School for Philippine Craftsmen, Banga Elementary School, Laserna Integrated School
* Antique – Mayabay Elementary School, Igsoro Integrated School, Antique National High School
* Bacolod City – Alangilan National High School
* Roxas City – Olotayan Integrated School
The Alert Level 3 in Bacolod City, the provinces of Aklan, Capiz and Antique, and this city will be until Jan. 31 unless extended or lifted much earlier.
Last year, a total of 20 schools in Western Visayas were given the go-signal by DepEd to conduct face-to-face classes.
But “as per guidance sang DepEd central office, once ang isa ka area napaidalom sa Alert Level 3, automatically magabalik ang aton learners or mga schools nga nagahimu sang limited face-to-face classes sa modalities learning like module, online radio and television-based instruction,” Escullar told Panay News.
Twelve of the 20 schools belonged to areas under Alert Level 2 (Negros Occidental, Iloilo province, and Guimaras). Therefore, they should continue with their limited face-to-face classes.
On the other hand, schools holding classes through distance learning or modalities like modules and online, and radio or television-based instruction will continue, Escullar stressed.
The 12 schools allowed to hold limited face-to-face classes were the following:
Negros Occidental
* Hiyang Hiyang Elementary School in Cadiz City
* Mabini National High School in Escalante City
* Valladolid National High School
* Aguntilang Elementary School
* Colonia Divina Integrated School in Sagay
* Patag Diotay Elementary School in Silay City
* Mauboy Elementary School in Sipalay City
* Victorias National High School in Victorias City
Iloilo province
* Gamot Cogon Waldorf School in Zarraga
* Oxmont Memorial School in Calinog
* Mulapula National High School in Passi City
Guimaras
* Taras Elementary School
On Jan. 12, Undersecretary Diosdado M. San Antonio issued Memorandum Order No. 2022-009 addressed to DepEd regional directors, schools division superintendents, school heads / administrators / principals and private schools urging regional offices and/or schools division pffices (SDO) to exercise discretion in suspending classes and other teaching-related activities.
He also clarified that DepEd) could not declare a nationwide “academic break” despite the increase in the number of learners and teachers with flu-like symptoms or testing positive for COVID-19.
In an online media forum, Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio noted the COVID-19 situation is different in every part of the country so DepEd cannot declare a nationwide “academic break”.
“Kung ano ‘yung sitwasyon sa COVID-19 ay dapat may angkop na aksiyon ang ating mga principals, mga school superintendents,” he said./PN
