‘It’s complementary’: Duque denies refuting Duterte on opening of classes

MANILA, Philippines — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III insisted Wednesday that he did not contradict President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that he will not allow students to go back to school until a vaccine for COVID-19 is available but rather “complemented” it.

In a late Monday night public address, Duterte said he will not allow the resumption of classes if a vaccine against COVID-19 is not yet developed.

The next day, Duque said in a Senate health committee hearing that the scheduled resumption of classes on August 24 would be “safe” as long as minimum health standards are observed.

But the Department of Health chief clarified that he was not contradicting the President’s statement, noting that he was just emphasizing the need to observe the minimum health standards set by his agency.

“Sinabi ko lang naman na ‘yung minimum health standards kasi kailangan talaga ‘yan. ‘Yung frequent washing of the hands, sanitation, etc. Complementary naman ‘yung statement ko at saka ‘yung kay Presidente,” Duque said in an interview over dzBB.

“Tama naman si Pangulo, ‘yung face to face [classes] talagang delikado pa rin kung walang bakuna. So ‘yung minimum health standards ang aking gustong bigyan ng diin,” he added.

Among the minimum health standards are physical distancing, having supplies for hand hygiene, disinfecting tables, placing foot baths in the entrances, and providing personal protective equipment.

Earlier, presidential spokesman Harry Roque announced that enrolment in public schools will proceed as scheduled from June 1 to June 30.

The opening of classes, whether physically or virtually, is set on August 24.