August 22, 2022 (as of 11 a.m.)
The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) on Monday said the resumption of face-to-face classes has, so far, been going on smoothly.
DCPO director Col. Alberto Lupaz, during the Madayaw Davao program aired over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday, said his office has deployed personnel to schools “to provide security, traffic direction and control” in preparation for the back-to-school hybrid learning modality.
“Everything is going smoothly as of this time,” the DCPO director said.
“We are always monitoring the situation right now,” he added.
Lupaz said aside from the hiccups due to the dwindling number of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) that caused some students to wait for an extended amount of time in order to get to school, the general orderliness of the day has proven to be satisfactory.
He said schools are welcome to request for additional security assistance from the DCPO.
“The Davao City Police Office will always be there to help them,” he said.
Deped XI Spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said the department is delighted to see children return to classrooms that were empty for more than two years.
Atillo said not all schools are conducting “full-blown face-to-face” classes.
He said only select ones that had successfully carried out a pilot implementation of face-to-face classes are allowed to conduct full face-to-face classes starting August 22. Other schools are allowed to hold classes in hybrid learning modality until November 2.
“Sa Nobyembre 2, mao na gyud na ang gitakna nga adlaw para sa full implementation sa face-to-face learning modality. Wala na gyud laing learning modality ang ipahiluna dinha (November 2 is the designated date for the full implementation of the face-to-face learning modality. No other learning modality will be accommodated),” Atillo said.
He reminded everyone to stay on alert against COVID-19, saying safety is a shared responsibility.
“Dili lamang nagadepende kani sa mga eskwelahan nato or sa Department of Education, apan kinahalnglan usab mulihok ang tanang sektor sa katilingban (This [safety] is not only dependent on the Department of Education, but all sectors of the community must act),” he said.
Atillo added that safety must begin at home, with parents inculcating proper hygiene and minimum public health protocols on their children. He said children must not be allowed to leave the home without their masks on, and have a habit of regular hand sanitation and physical distancing.
Atillo also urged teachers to stringently implement the minimum public health protocols in the classroom to ensure a smoother transition back into the traditional full face-to-face classes. CIO
