Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Saturday, February 27, that he supports the opening of face-to-face classes in the Philippines.
Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said in the whole world only 14 out of 200 countries have not resumed face-to-face classes.
The Philippines is one of those 14 countries, and is also the only one in Asia that has not resumed face-to-face classes, said Gatchalian, who was in Valladolid, Negros Occidental.
He pointed out that there is a big possibility that face-to-face classes can be held in Valladolid where there are no active COVID-19 cases.
Teachers and parents are having a hard time with the current distance learning method, and there are a lot of students who cannot go online, he said.
“The best way to reach out to them and teach them is to go back to normal,” Gatchalian said.
The senator said while he supports going back to face-to-face classes it is also important to adopt a science-based approach. This means a thorough study of which areas can resume face to-face classes, he said.
Remote areas that have no COVID-19 cases can already resume face-to face classes, but places like Bacolod and Valenzuela may not be able to do so, he added.
Meanwhile, Gatchalian said to address the shortage of pork supply, he is open to short-term importation.*