Makati Mayor Abby Binay. (Photo from her Facebook account)
MANILA, Philippines — Makati and Muntinlupa noted on Monday a “successful” first day in the resumption of in-person classes for the school year 2022-23.
In a statement, Makati Mayor Abby Binay cited her city’s close coordination with the Department of Education-Makati (DepEd-Makati), which ensured “adequate preparations for the full implementation of face-to-face classes in the city.”
“Nearly 80,000 students were able to come to school and were provided adequate protection through the strict implementation of health protocols,” Binay said.
Before the opening of classes, the city had equipped all of its 38 schools with thermal scanners at entry points, accessible handwashing facilities, alcohol dispensers, and foot bath mats, she said.
Air purifiers and UV light filters had also been installed in every classroom as part of the city’s compliance with health protocols set by the Department of Health.
“Our students were visibly excited and glad to finally go back to school after two years of blended learning. We made the right decision in pushing for the 100-percent face-to-face classes. It will allow our students and teachers alike to adapt faster to the new normal and learn to co-exist with COVID-19,” she said.
Binay then assured that city officials would continue to closely monitor the conduct of classes and make the necessary adjustments in the coming days.
To date, Makati has 25 public elementary schools and 13 high schools, eight of them senior high schools.
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon. INQUIRER.net file photo
Meanwhile, Muntinlupa noted an “overall smooth” first day of classes, after Mayor Ruffy Biazon went around some schools to personally assess the situation.
“Everything was orderly and safe according to the preliminary observations of the mayor, except for some students who could not find their classrooms, a narrow space in the waiting area where there was a buildup of students who entered, some late enrollees, and parents who did not attend the orientation,” the city said in Filipino in a statement.
“The overall smooth assessment of the general situation of Balik Eskwela in the city is the result of the diligent coordination of the city government in recent weeks,” the statement added.
According to the city’s statistics, Muntinlupa has 79,000 returning students, which is expected to increase further. The student population is above 2 percent higher overall than in 2021.
Meanwhile, almost all 28 schools in the city conducted face-to-face classes, with the exception of two schools that continued to implement blended learning.
“It is expected that the entry of students in the city will be even smoother in the coming days. All minimum health protocols are still being reminded including frequent hand sanitizing, wearing a face mask, and social distancing,” the Muntinlupa statement said.
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