Grade school students at the Longos Elementary School in a coastal village in Alaminos City, Pangasinan return to their classrooms during the first day of the pilot run of the in-person classes nationwide. (Photos courtesy of Alaminos Public Information Office)
MANILA, Philippines — The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has strongly supported the conduct of face-to-face classes in all public and private schools for basic education, Malacañang announced on Saturday.
Acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar, however, said COVID-19 vaccination shall not be made a requirement for in-person classes.
“Instead, the IATF strongly encouraged public and private educational institutions for basic education to undertake COVID-19 vaccination programs for their respective learners,” he said in a statement.
The IATF called on the public schools to allow the Department of Health, in coordination with their respective local government units, to facilitate COVID-19 vaccination programs within their premises, Andanar said.
Private schools, meanwhile, may also hold vaccination programs in their premises for their students in coordination with the government.
The Palace official said the inoculation program must be done with the informed consent of the parents or guardians and students.
“The DOH, in coordination with the respective LGUs, shall ensure the proper implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination programs for basic education learners in public and private educational institutions,” Andanar said.
Currently, only children aged five years and above are eligible to receive vaccines against COVID-19.
Over 26,000 basic education schools in the country — both public and private — have so far resumed holding face-to-face classes.