DepEd-7 to probe students’ attendance at tour program

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Education in Central Visayas has vowed to look into reports saying that there were students who witnessed the Santa Fe-Madridejos-Bantayan (SMB) escapade last November 27 at the Kota Park in Madridejos town.

DepEd-7 Director Dr. Salustiano Jimenez said he will verify the reports as part of the process and will talk to some school officials in Madridejos.

The program, which was attended by key officials like Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Dino, and Department of Health-7 Director Dr. Jaime Bernadas, among others, drew flak after photos of the audience not observing social distancing and some not wearing masks made rounds online.

Some people in the audience were seen wearing school uniforms. Students are currently under distance learning mode because of the pandemic and are supposed to stay in their respective homes.

Jimenez reiterated his reminder for students not to go to crowded places to avoid COVID-19 transmission.

“Ato na i-check para mahatagan pud og katin-awan. Siyempre atong tambagan ang mga ginikanan nga kanunay gyud nga i-guide ang ilang mga anak sa pagtuman sa health protocols,” Jimenez said.

In a previous interview, Madridejos Mayor Salvador Dela Fuente said that people who witnessed the event became uncontrollable.

Dela Fuente, however, welcomed the decision of the Department of Interior and Local Government to conduct an investigation.

Garcia has since taken responsibility of the issue and also welcomed the fact-finding investigation of DILG.

Madridejos was one of the destinations of recent SMB, which was a mini Suroy Suroy Sugbo, a tourism project of Cebu provincial government. — JMD (FREEMAN)