2 DepEd events push through in Cagayan Valley amid coronavirus threat

The National Schools Press Conference kicks off at Cagayan Sports Complex in Tuguegarao City on Monday. Each of the 17 regions has 50 representatives to the event that will end on March 13. Photo courtesy of Ronnie Tejano

CITY OF ILAGAN—The National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Tuguegarao City and the National Festival of Talents (NFOT) here pushed through on Monday (March 9) despite an order from the Department of Education (DepEd) suspending all national and regional events involving students.

More than 8,000 students and coaches are participating in the two major annual DepEd events, organizers said.

But Amir Aquino, DepEd regional information officer, said the opening parades for both events were canceled “to ensure less exposure of the participants” in the field. NSPC and NFOT are both set on March 9 to 13 in Cagayan Valley region.

Aquino said the regional DepEd was ready to implement all precautions against the health risks posed by the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

The NSPC, with the theme “Empowering Communities through Campus Journalism” was initially scheduled from Feb. 17 to 21 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 scare.

It is an annual event for campus journalists who won in their regions and will again compete in different writing and broadcasting categories as mandated by Republic Act 7079 or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991.

In a statement, DepEd said it is proceeding with the two events since the participants are already in the venues.

Edited by TSB