Local governments should double down on education despite the difficulties posed by remote learning, according to Taguig-Pateros 2nd District Rep. Lani Cayetano, adding that municipal and city leaders should not discount the possibility of a return to face-to-face classes within the current school year.
During a September 16, 2021 media interview, Cayetano spoke about how education is one of Taguig’s main priorities as the city government has deemed it essential for the future and wellbeing of its residents.
“Lalo na ngayon na may pandemic, hindi pwede na makalimutan ang edukasyon ng mga estudyante. Kailangan na marunong ang ating mga residente para sa kanilang pagharap sa buhay,” Cayetano said.
(Especially now that there is a pandemic, the education of students cannot be forgotten. Our residents need to have knowledge so they can better face life.)
Cayetano mentioned that the city made sure to include safety supplies along with the uniforms, notebooks, and other school necessities it subsidizes for its learners.
“Dinagdagan pa natin ng personal protective equipment (PPE), ito ay dahil sa kung sakaling magdesisyon ang national government and Department of Education na mag-face-to-face. Gusto naman namin na handang-handa ang mga kabataan sa pagpasok sa eskwelahan,” she said.
(We have added PPEs in case the national government and the Department of Education decide to go back to face-to-face classes. We want the youth to be ready to go back to school.)
Cayetano shared that part of the city government’s motivation to focus its resources on education is because a significant number of Taguig residents have lost jobs or have seen their incomes reduced as a result of the pandemic.
“Malaking tulong ang pagbibigay ng city of Taguig ng mga libreng kagamitan sa mga estudyante kasi alam naman natin na ang daming nawalan ng trabaho and ang mga negosyo ng ating mga kababayan, significantly bumaba ang income nila,” Cayetano said.
(All these free learning materials for students provided by city of Taguig is a big help because we know that many people have lost their jobs and the businesses of our countrymen have seen their incomes significantly reduced.)
The lawmaker thanked the local government of Taguig and the Department of Education, which is celebrating National Teachers Month this September.
Former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano had earlier said he will support the pilot implementation of face-to-face classes in areas where there are few COVID-19 cases.
In an interview with DZRH Nationwide on June 25, 2021, Cayetano said attending face-to-face classes will always be better than online learning.
“I will support a pilot project of face-to-face (classes) sa mga lugar na mababa naman po ang COVID-19 (cases) at ligtas ang mga bata. Number one (priority) kasi ‘yung kaligtasan ng mga bata,” he said.
(I will support a pilot project of face-to-face classes in places with few COVID-19 cases, where the safety of our students can be ensured. The safety of our students is our number one priority.)
