House panels OK resolution providing free face masks, PPEs to teachers

House of Representatives. INQUIRER file photo / Niño Jesus Orbeta

MANILA, Philippines – A  joint panel of the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a resolution calling on the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) to provide free face masks, alcohol and personal protective equipment (PPE) to teachers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

During a joint hearing of the House committee on basic education and culture, as well as the higher and technical education panel, lawmakers swiftly approved House Resolution No. 1103 filed by Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur 1st District Rep. Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano.

It was Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. who moved for the approval of the resolution, and was later seconded by ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro.

Pasig City Lone District Rep. Roman Romulo and Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, who respectively chair the basic education and higher and technical education panels, later approved the motion to approve the measure.

The resolution seeks to “urgently call out the DepEd and CHEd to support teachers by providing face masks, sanitizing alcohol and PPEs and if possible; tablets, laptops and internet connection during this global Covid-19 pandemic crisis.”

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte thumbed down the calls to resume face-to-face classes as the country’s mass immunization program against Covid-19 remains pending.

According to Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque, the President expressed hope that face-to-face classes in low-risk areas for Covid-19 may resume by August.

JPV