Infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante believes that there is a need for a mandate for teachers to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before face-to-face classes open in the country on August 22.
“Isang bagay na gusto ko sana i-advocate, na sana ang mga guro naman, mga teachers will have a very high rate of immunization or vaccination. Kasi nakikita natin ngayon marami pang mga teachers ang hindi nagpapabakuna,” said Solante.
(One thing I would like to advocate is that the teachers will have a very high rate of immunization or vaccination. Because we see now that many teachers are not vaccinated.)
It is said that to create a high ‘wall of immunity’ in schools, it is necessary for teachers to serve as an example and follow the government’s vaccination program.
It is said that many parents are worried about the safety of their young children, especially if those who interact with schools are not vaccinated.
“So importante, we need to mandate vaccination also sa mga teachers, not only for the children,” said Solante.
Teachers should get vaccinated before face to face classes – expert
It is said that the government needs to issue an order for the vaccination of school personnel. At the same time, he also encouraged everyone to strictly follow the ‘minimum public health standards,’ especially the constant wearing of face masks, hand washing, and proper ventilation of classrooms.
Meanwhile, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has set up an investigation related to the blocked importation of sugar and the purchase of overpriced laptops for public school teachers.
On August 25, the hearing on the purchase by the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) of allegedly overpriced and outdated laptops to be distributed to public teachers of DepEd.
Aside from the aforementioned, the Blue Ribbon Committee will also investigate the alleged ‘undue payment’ given by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to a joint venture related to the P3.19 billion Road IT Infrastructure project.
The investigation is based on the resolution filed by Senate Minority leader Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel, where based on the Commission on Audit (COA) report says that the LTO paid without legal basis to the foreign information technology (IT) provider Dermalog despite of incomplete transfer of deliverables for said project.
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