Rama supports return of full physical classes

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is planning to allow the colleges and universities in the city to hold physical classes in full capacity starting the next school year provided that all are vaccinated.

Executives of the different colleges and universities in the city have asked Rama to ease further the pandemic restrictions in the city by allowing face-to-face classes in full capacity.

“I am for it…I am for it…and not taking anymore talking of percentage capacity,” Rama said.

According to the mayor, the schools are very much willing to follow the city government’s advocacy on vaccination.

Limited face-to-face classes are currently allowed by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in areas still under alert level classifications by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emergency Infectious Diseases. Cebu City remains under alert level 1 until the end of June.

Rama said he will issue soon an executive order setting the guidelines in conducting physical classes in full capacity.

“Dili nako musuwat (to CHED), but I will have an executive order bringing them all to open the schools,” said Rama.

Rama said he is even considering doing the same for the basic education but emphasized the vaccination requirement.

“My emissary, Atty. Collin Rosell, is directed by me to issue an executive order that would be entitled, balik-eskwela, pabakuna bonanza, ekonomiya isaka,”said Rama.

The said executive order, however, will also give the management of every school the prerogative-- be it private or government-- regarding the conduct of classes.

Along with this, Rama once again called on each household to ensure that all members are vaccinated or boosted against COVID-19. Those who have yet to be immunized are asked to get the shot now, especially teachers.

“Bringing all vaccinated, including the children. Unsaon man na nga ang mga bata vaccinated pero ang household dili? Unsaon man na? Nya mosulod ang children sa classroom nya ang teachers dili vaccinated? Unsaon man na?“As long as everyone is vaccinated, the COVID-19 will be manageable. We always look at the positivity rate, the critical care occupancy rate,” the mayor said.

The city government has already expanded its “toktok bakuna” program which brings vaccination against COVID-19 to the doorstep. Rama said the city wants to protect and sustain the gains from winning the COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Rama also looks forward to meeting incoming Vie President Sara Duterte-Carpio to discuss about matters pertaining to education. The next vice president will head the country’s education department.

Rama said he wants to discuss to the vice president how to enhance the K to12 program.

“E-enhance nato…if we go back to 1 to 6 and the whole world is under K to 12, balik na sad ta’s Jurassic,” said Rama. — FPL (FREEMAN)