Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) and Quirino Gov. Dax Cua on Wednesday urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to consult local government unit (LGU) executives and officials of the Department of Health (DOH) with regard to the possibility of resuming face-to-face classes in January amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, and stressed that “such a major decision should take into consideration input from those on the ground: our LGUs.”
ULAP is the umbrella organization of all leagues of LGUs and locally-elected government officials in the country.
“Back in July, it was our contention that holding classes online, together with the adoption of other strict measures like travel restrictions would help us limit the spread of COVID-19 in the provinces.”
Cua in July spoke on behalf of LGU officials, who at the time were wary of the public health risks that would have accompanied the conduct of face-to-face classes.
“Back in July, it was our contention that holding classes online, together with the adoption of other strict measures like travel restrictions would help us limit the spread of COVID-19 in the provinces,” said Cua.
“So far, the relatively low number of COVID-19 cases outside Metro Manila appear to validate that initial assessment.”
Cua said that local officials in Quirino, despite having no reported active COVID-19 cases at present, “are concerned about the risks involved in allowing children and their parents to congregate in large numbers in our schools.”
“We believe that the President should have a complete picture of the situation on the ground to guide his decision on the resumption of in-school classes.”
“While we don’t have a single active case in Quirino, we remain vigilant because as we have seen in other areas, all it takes is one or two infected individuals to cause a surge in cases; we all want to avoid that,” said the former legislator.
The governor revealed that “many of the LGU officials I have spoken to feel the same way.”
“Which is why I hope that DepEd officials and medical experts let those of us in the LGUs to weigh in on recommendations regarding the resumption of face-to-face classes,” added Cua.
“We believe that the President should have a complete picture of the situation on the ground to guide his decision on the resumption of in-school classes.”