PFPA backs full resumption of in-person classes

The Philippine Federation of Professional Association expressed support Wednesday for the government’s push for the resumption of full face-to-face classes in the country.

“Ang medical community at PFPA ay sumasang-ayon sa pagbubukas ng klase. Ang kailangan, katulad ng dati, ay susundin pa rin natin ang minimum health protocols. Magsuot ng mask ng mga bata, maghugas ng kamay, andiyan 'yung social distancing at kahit ano naman pong sakit ay dapat alagaan natin ang ating mga sarili lalo na ang mga bata,” PFPA vice president III Dr. Benito Atienza said during the public briefing.

(The medical community and the PFPA agree with the opening of classes. Just like before, we need to adhere to minimum health protocols…children should wear masks, wash their hands, and practice social distancing. We should also take care of ourselves against any diseases, especially kids.)

He said aside from COVID-19, the public should also be wary of common diseases during the rainy season such as dengue, leptospirosis, and influenza.

“Saka hindi lang dapat nakatuon sa COVID-19 ang ating pag-iwas sa mga sakit. Andiyan ang mga sakit dala ng tag-ulan, andiyan pa rin ang water-borne diseases, influenza o trangkaso, marami rin ang may pneumonia, due to baha mayroong leptospirosis at dengue na tumataas ngayon. Sabi nga po ng Department of Health (DOH), nagiging triple na po ang kaso ng dengue compared to last year as of this August. Kaya dapat maging handa ang ating mga eskwelahan at magulang,” he added.

(We should also be concerned about other diseases apart from COVID-19. These are water-borne diseases, influenza, pneumonia, leptospirosis due to flood, and dengue. DOH said dengue cases have already tripled compared to last year. That’s why schools and parents should be ready.)

Last month, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced that School Year 2022-2023 will open on Monday, August 22, and will end on July 7, 2023.

Schools will be allowed to hold blended learning schedules and full-distance learning until October but starting November 2, all public and private schools should have transitioned to five days of in-person classes, the DepEd said.

Vaccination sites in schools

To ensure students’ safety, the PFPA urged the public to get their COVID-19 vaccine shots. It likewise supported the Department of Health (DOH)’s plan to put up vaccination sites in schools to promote inoculation among students and their parents.

Asked if it is feasible, Atienza, former president of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), said: “Yes… Kinocoordinate natin sa mga eskwelahan. At ang PMA nga po ang nag-suggest niyan even sa ating mga opisina, mga companies pwede rin maglagay ng bakunahan, even sa mga clinic ng mga doctor kasi marami po tayong bakuna”.

(Yes… we’re already coordinating with schools. The PMA suggested that even in offices, companies, and even clinics, we can put up sites because we have vaccines.)

“Ang kailangan po natin ay mapalaganap at ngayon ang mga different organizations ng mga eskwelahan, mga association, mga Parents-Teachers Associations, makipag-coordinate sa mga doctor at mga ospital,” he added.

(What we need is to spread this and coordinate with different organizations such as schools and PTA. We should also cooperate with doctors and hospitals.)

Latest data from the DOH showed the Philippines had already administered over 158 million COVID-19 vaccines. Of the figure, more than 71 million individuals have completed their doses while over 16 million have availed the booster shots.—AOL, GMA News