VP Sara fills in for Bongbong Marcos, leads meet on full in-person classes, COVID booster shots

MANILA, Philippines—Vice President Sara Duterte filled in for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos in leading discussions on resuming full face-to-face classes and the campaign to roll out COVID booster shots for children.

Sara was physically present at the two events at the league of governors’ and mayors’ meeting on Friday (July 8), which Marcos attended online after he caught COVID for a second time.

READ: Bongbong Marcos tests positive for COVID-19

“Nakalulungkot man na hindi tayo nakadalo ng personal sa pagtitipong ito, minabuti pa rin nating makiisa sa kanila online upang mapag-usapan ang mga plano para sa booster campaign rollout at sa pagbabalik ng face-to-face classes sa bansa,” Marcos said in a tweet on Saturday (July 9).

(While it is sad that I wasn’t able to personally attend this meeting, I still made sure to join via online means, so we can discuss our plans for the booster campaign rollout and the resumption of face-to-face classes in the country.)

Nakakalungkot man na hindi tayo nakadalo ng personal sa pagtitipong ito, minabuti pa rin nating makiisa sa kanila online upang mapag-usapan ang mga plano para sa Booster Campaign Rollout at sa pagbabalik ng face-to-face classes sa bansa. pic.twitter.com/H8FX5BfXY1

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) July 9, 2022

Marcos, in another tweet, also thanked government officials, who took part in the discussion, and Sara, who was physically present to lead the discussions in his absence. Sara has been appointed as secretary of education.

Marcos had announced the government plan to fully resume in-person classes by November.

Lubos kong pinasasalamatan ang lahat ng mga nakiisang gobernador at mayor, mga opisyal ng iba't-ibang departamento, lalong-lalo na ang ating kalihim sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon, Vice President Sara Duterte, para sa pangunguna sa miting na ito. pic.twitter.com/ovy43IK52a

— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) July 9, 2022

READ: Teachers’ group calls for urgent requisites for safe face-to-face classes

To aid in the full resumption of face-to-face classes, a plan to ramp up the administration of COVID booster shots for children had also been announced by Marcos.

The Department of Health had already approved the administration of COVID booster doses for minors aged 12 to 17.

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