September 15, 2020 – As the Department of Education (DepEd) continues their preparations for the upcoming school year, a local official from Pasig expressed his support to the Department and called for unity and cooperation for a successful opening of classes amidst the pandemic.

In a Handang Isip, Handa Bukas Press Conference, Pasig City Mayor Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Sotto emphasized the city’s full support to DepEd’s goal to continue education even amidst the pandemic.

“Nandirito po ako para ipakita ang suporta at ang suporta ng Lungsod ng Pasig sa lahat ng mga initiatives at ginagawa po ng Department of Education. In this very short span of time that we have to prepare for blended learning, nakita po natin ang outputs ng Department of Education,” Mayor Sotto said.

“Buong-buo ang suporta ng Lungsod ng Pasig sa mga inisyatiba ng Kagawaran. Tiniyak na ang edukasyon ng kabataan ay hindi matitigil kahit na ang bansa ay kumakaharap sa isang pandemya,” the Pasig local chief added.

Pasig LGU allocated Php 1.3B for tablets of every public school student, laptops of teachers, and ICT needs of students of the city. In addition, Sotto shared that the city government is also helping the public schools in the printing of modules, internet connection, and adapted training for teachers and parents.

“Ang keywords natin for this season are really adaptability and synergy. Hindi po tayo papayag nang dahil sa virus ay matitigil ang pag-aaral at edukasyon ng ating mga kabataan. Hindi po tayo magpapatinag nang dahil sa pandemya, bagkus magtulungan po tayo, magkaisa po, lahat ng opisina ng gobyerno, national man yan o lokal, mga magulang, at bawat isang stakeholder,” emphasized Sotto.

According to Sotto, Pasig is also eyeing to strengthen its participatory governance, school governing councils, expanded local school boards, scholarship programs, among others, in support of education continuity.

Other LGU officials Province of Aurora Governor Gerardo Noveras; San Fernando, Pampanga Mayor Edwin Santiago; Luna, Isabela Mayor Jaime Atayde, Pililla, Rizal Mayor Dan Masinsin; and Sanggani province Board Member Jess Bascuna also shared their efforts and initiatives to support the BE-LCP.

Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones thanked the six local officials who joined the press conference but emphasized that many other LGUs across the country were also supportive of learning continuity plans of DepEd.

“Ang local governments talaga, they come in full force. Talagang they joined us in all our efforts-nagdonate ng mga reproduction machines, nagmomobilize ng supplies ng papers, ng ink para maproduce itong mga modular materials na kinakailangan sa ibang eskwelahan,” Secretary Briones said.

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