MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday directed government agencies to provide much-needed support to schools nationwide as Filipino children return to school for the new school year.

The Philippine leader visited the Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School in Malate, Manila to monitor the opening of classes. 

The visit included a brief interaction with several pupils and a short chat with a number of school personnel.

He also talked to some school administrators at a Department of Education (DepEd) online meeting to check on the situation of opening of classes.

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Marcos said authorities were working to make sure that schools have basic facilities such as power and water.

"'Yung kuryente, we are making sure na may kuryente lahat, may tubig lahat. 'Yun ang mga basic services na makikita natin para naman maging maayos ang pag-aaral ng mga kabataan,” he said.

The President has also instructed the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to expand internet coverage to schools, noting that only 60 percent had access to WiFi nationwide.

“Kaya aayusin natin ang daan-daan makikita natin magiging 100% na lahat. Lalo na inuuna namin 'yung mga tinatawag na GIDA (geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas), 'yung mga underserved na mga lugar...'yun ang inuuna namin. Mabuti na lang may teknolohiya na para makabuo tayo ng magandang sistema nationally,” Marcos Jr. said.

The President also ordered the provision of CCTVs, especially around schools to ensure the continued safety of students.

“Ang DTI at saka DOTr (Department of Transportation) ay inistruksyon ko, gawin ninyo lahat ng paraan para mabawasan ang gastos ng magulang at saka ng estudyante,” the President continued.

“Ang DOH (Department of Health) sinabi ko kailangan may health facilities lagi. In case na magkasakit 'yung mga bata o ma-injure ay meron lagi tayong nakaabang para sila ay gagamutin.”

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The President also wants the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to address cyberbullying in schools, noting the importance of the mental health of students.

“’Yung mga bullying ah dahil nagiging malaking problema, dahil mental health problem ng mga bata, dahil hindi maayos ang pagtakbo talaga may bullying hindi sila makapag-aral ng mabuti,” he said.

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The DSWD is also set to start its school feeding program by July.

Marcos Jr. recalled that DSWD has already conducted the program on the first 1,000 days, which included pregnant women to ensure they would give birth to healthy infants. 

"Ngayon naman from 5 years old on, ito naman marami tayong programa lalong-lalo na 'yung feeding program para sa ating mga kabataan," he said. 

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SMOOTH SO FAR

Education Secretary Sonny Angara morning reported a smooth opening of the new school year so far, noting that the agency was monitoring schools closely to address concerns and ensure that classes proceed without delay.

“Okay naman, may hotlines tayo kung may reklamo tapos in touch din tayo sa mga divisions natin na nagrereport sa ating ng problema,” said Angara, who accompanied Marcos in his visit to the Epifanio Delos Santos Elementary School.

He said the Department of Education was providing assistance to the San Francisco High School in Barangay Santo Cristo, Quezon City, which was hit by a large fire days before the scheduled opening of classes.

“Yung worst talaga yung sunog sa QC, so iyon talaga tinitingnan namin kung ano yung agarang solution, or agarang tulong na maibibigay namin. So nakapagbigay kami ng agarang furniture na puwede ibigay namin,” he said.

SUSPENSION OF CLASSES 

Angara expressed confidence that new policies on the suspension of classes during inclement weather would result in less learning disruption.

“Kasi dati kapag naabutan namin kapag signal 1, cancel na kaagad. Iniba na namin. Sinabi namin depende na iyan sa actual weather conditions. Nasa bawat lungsod kung gusto nila mag-cancel, at ang request pa ng ibang paaralan mabigyan pa sila ng mas malaking puwang kapag di malakas lalo na yung mga private schools na sana di na mag-cancel,” he said.

“Sa tingin ko nga mas maganda ngayon kasi last year kung maalala niyo, nagbukas tayo end of July. July 29. Binabaha na tayo. I think 3 or 4 cities nag-declare ng state of calamity. Valenzuela, Malabon. Kaya ngayon at least medyo ligtas yung ating mga bata,” Angara added.

CLASSROOM BACKLOG

The education chief said hoped that the government could soon start by next year the construction of the proposed 105,000 additional classrooms to address the country’s existing backlog.

“Meron nga tayo proposal na PPP na 105,000 classrooms. Uutangin iyon pero 10 years to pay iyon. Iyon yung proposal natin. Dumadaan na siya sa NEDA. So may mga approvals iyon. Irereview iyon yung proposal natin. Pero sa tingin natin kapag din natin ito ginawa mapagiiwanan tayo,” he said.

“Sa proposal namin kapag dumaan ng NEDA iyon, siguro by next year makakapagsimula na ng construction.”

Angara said priority areas for the construction of additional classrooms include Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and other urban areas.

“So usually mga region 4-A, NCR, mga urban areas yung talagang nangangailangan. Pero di naman nangangahulugan na doon lang tayo magcoconstruct,” he said.

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