House adopts measure urging Duterte to allow ‘face-to-face’ classes in Batanes

The House of Representatives on Monday approved a measure urging President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the conduct of face-to-face classes in Batanes, considering it is a low-risk province free from COVID-19 infection.

During the resumption of its session following a month-long break, the chamber adopted House Resolution 1255, calling on the President, through the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the Department of Education (DepEd), to allow physical classes in Batanes.

The resolution pointed out that while the government is currently implementing distance learning as the mode of instruction amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Batanes is one of the areas in the country that do not have sufficient internet connectivity, making it difficult to conduct online classes there.

However, considering that Batanes has consistently been declared and classified by the Department of Health and the IATF as a "very low-risk area," and its average teacher-student ratio is relatively small, holding face-to-face classes in the province is feasible, it added.

"The average teacher-student ratio in the Province of Batanes is approximately 1:11 or 1:12 at the elementary and secondary levels, respectively," the resolution read.

"Hence, conducting face-to-face classes in the province is realistic and practical inasmuch as the low number of students per class shall allow social distance to be observed," it added.

The resolution also noted that Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco, the Provincial IATF, the six municipal mayors in the province, teachers, parents and other stakeholders are fully supportive of the conduct of face-to-face classes.

"Now, therefore, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved by the House of Representatives, to urge President Rodrigo Duterte, through the IATF and DepEd, to allow the conduct of 'face-to-face' classes in the Province of Batanes which is a low-risk and COVID-free province," it said.

The resolution is authored by Batanes Representative Ciriaco Gato Jr. and House Committee on Basic Education and Culture chair Roman Romulo. — RSJ/LDF, GMA News