Teachers as frontliners

Arlene D. Timpug

BECAUSE teachers are considered as frontliners, they are included in the national government’s plan to conduct expanded targeted testing to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Yes, you read it right. Teachers may avail the government’s free COVID testing, with the country having the highest Covid-19 testing capacity in Southeast Asia, according to the Department of Health.

It was also assured by the government that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. or PhilHealth will provide assistance to those who get infected with Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the DepEd has allowed the use of school facilities as isolation centers until December 31, while students are prohibited from having face-to-face classes.

The use of public schools as isolation centers will augment the ones being built by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The opening of classes using the distance learning approach will definitely push through on August 24, while face-to-face classes would only resume once a vaccine is developed.

Our President, however, has the prerogative to suspend classes anytime he wants, but at the moment, there is no such order.

Last July 17, the President signed Republic Act 11480, which allows him, upon the recommendation of the Education Secretary, to set a different date for the start of the school year in the country in case of a state of emergency or state of calamity.

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The author is Teacher II at Ascomo Elementary School