As the Department of Education (DepEd) continues its preparations for the upcoming school year, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto expressed his support to the learning continuity efforts of the Department of Education (DepEd) and called for unity and cooperation for a successful opening of classes amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
In a Handang Isip, Handa Bukas Press Conference, Sotto emphasized Pasig’s full support to the DepEd’s goal of continuing learning amid the pandemic. Joining Sotto in the press conference were five other local government executives.
“Nandirito po ako para ipakita ang suporta at ang suporta ng Lungsod ng Pasig sa lahat ng mga initiatives at ginagawa po ng Department of Education. In this very short span of time that we have to prepare for blended learning, nakita po natin ang outputs ng Department of Education,” Sotto said.
“Buong-buo ang suporta ng Lungsod ng Pasig sa mga inisyatiba ng Kagawaran. Tiniyak na ang edukasyon ng kabataan ay hindi matitigil kahit na ang bansa ay kumakaharap sa isang pandemya,” he added.
“Pasig City government is also helping the public schools in the printing of modules, internet connection, and adapted training for teachers and parents.”
Pasig City allocated P1.3B for the tablets of every public school student, laptops of teachers, and the ICT (information and communications technology) needs of students of the city. In addition, Sotto shared that the city government is also helping the public schools in the printing of modules, internet connection, and in the adapted training of teachers and parents.
“Our keywords for this season are really adaptability and synergy.”
“Ang keywords natin for this season are really adaptability and synergy. Hindi po tayo papayag nang dahil sa virus ay matitigil ang pag-aaral at edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan. Hindi po tayo magpapatinag nang dahil sa pandemya, bagkus magtulungan po tayo, magkaisa po, lahat ng opisina ng gobyerno, national man yan o lokal, mga magulang, at bawat isang stakeholder,” he emphasized.
According to Sotto, Pasig is also eyeing to strengthen its participatory governance, school governing councils, expanded local school boards, scholarship programs, among others, in support of education continuity.
Other LGU officials who attended the Handang Isip, Handa Bukas Press Conference were Aurora Governor Gerardo Noveras; San Fernando, Pampanga Mayor Edwin Santiago; Luna, Isabela Mayor Jaime Atayde; Pililla, Rizal Mayor Dan Masinsin; and Sarangani Board Member Jess Bascuna also shared their efforts and initiatives to support the DepEd’s learning continuity efforts amid the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Leonor Briones thanked the six local officials who joined the press conference as she noted that many other local government units across the country were also supportive of learning continuity plans of the DepEd.
“Ang local governments talaga, they come in full force. Talagang they joined us in all our efforts-nagdonate ng mga reproduction machines, nagmomobilize ng supplies ng papers, ng ink para maproduce itong mga modular materials na kinakailangan sa ibang eskwelahan,” Briones said.