Face-to-face classes in MGCQ areas await approval from the President

Proposals to conduct face-to-face classes in areas under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) are yet to be approved by President Duterte.

These proposals are made to cater to the needs of the learners in areas where there are minimal to no positive cases of COVID-19 and very low risk in spreading the said virus. Many lawmakers have also been calling on to the government to allow this so learners can still continue their studies with first-hand education from the traditional classroom set-up.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, in a press briefing, said that there have been proposals from the Department of Education and Commission of Higher Education to conduct face-to-face classes in areas under MGCQ. However, Roque said that the President is requesting formal written proposals so that they can discuss it along with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

“Pinag-aaralan pa rin po natin. May proposals po na sinumite ang Commission on Higher Education (CHED) at DepEd (Department of Education) pero ang sabi po ni Presidente, isubmit mo sa amin ang written proposals at nang madiscuss ng mas mabuti ‘yan,” Roque said.

With the opening of classes set on August 24, 2020, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones emphasized that even other Southeast Asian countries have been implementing limited face-to-face classes with strict health protocols.

Up until now, the President's decision not to allow such physical presence of students in the schools and classrooms remain intact. It is now up to him if he will take into consideration the aforementioned proposals from DepEd and CHED.