LEGAZPI CITY–The Department of Education (DepEd) in Bicol has postponed for an indefinite period this year’s regional students’ sports meet, Palarong Bicol, and a training program for teachers as a precaution against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
Gilbert Sadsad, DepEd Bicol director, on Monday issued an order announcing the indefinite postponement of the two events to heed an order by Education Secretary Leonor Briones for DepEd events to be put on hold to prevent the gathering of large crowds that could put participants at risk of the fast-spreading virus.
Sadsad’s order said it was issued on the recommendation of the DepEd Task Force COVID-19 “to ensure heightened precaution” after the Department of Health (DOH) raised the virus alert to Code Red “following the confirmation of local transmission in the country and in anticipation of possible community transmission.”
Sadsad said that all Division Concentration Trainings involving learners and teachers requiring travel and congregation at various schools and divisions had also been suspended.
He said the new schedule of Palarong Bicol would be announced in another order.
The directive was issued on Monday to all schools division superintendents, regional sports officers, technical management committees, division sports officers and others.