Sara Duterte asked to back safe school reopening bill

The Kabataan party-list on Tuesday challenged Vice President-elect Sara Duterte to support the passage of a bill it would file in the 19th Congress that would ensure students’ safety amid the gradual reopening of face-to-face classes in the country.

The group issued the call after Duterte she is targeting the implementation of the full resumption of in-person classes for both private and public schools by August this year.

“Kabataan Partylist notes the changed stance of VP-elect Sara Duterte in eyeing full face-to-face classes by August instead of mulling it over in her first 100 days in the position,” said Raoul Manuel, who will represent the group at the House of Representatives.

“However, with only vague pronouncements, we are guarded that these promises may just be a grand populist gesture to appease a disgruntled public over fraudulent elections and worsening economic crisis,” he added.

To prove she is “serious” in her proposal, Manuel said Duterte should push for the urgent passage of of the safe school reopening bill.

Kabataan filed the measure in the 18th Congress, but it did not pass.  The bill mandates the government to roll out a program for the resumption of physical classes.

Manuel said he would refile the bill when the next Congress opens in July.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA News