Day: January 18, 2022

Written by: Maine Dela Cruz

Not long after the Philippines’ education institutions announced the resumption of face-to-face classes at all levels, the Department of Education (DepEd) National Capital Region (NCR) has declared a health break throughout Metro Manila from January 15 to January 22.

As uncertainties arise from the surging coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in the country, it’s best to keep ourselves ready. This includes the possibility of online classes remaining and the resumption of the work-from-home setup. Nowadays, a fiber internet subscription has become more important than ever.

What do health breaks mean, and what happens during their implementation? Read on to learn more.

You can also check out these related articles:

• Updates on the Limited Face to Face Classes in PH
• Parents, Check these 10 Things Affecting Your Child’s Online Learning
• Distance Learning vs Classroom Learning
• Learn All About the “No Vaccination, No Ride Policy” Here

What does health break mean?

DepEd Calabarzon refers to health break refers as class suspension that includes all other school activities. This is whether face-to-face or online, that involve school-based personnel, students, and parents.

The agency made the announcement through a memorandum posted on its Facebook page on Thursday, January 13, referring to a memorandum released the same day. According to the memo, DepEd allowed its regional offices and school division offices to suspend classes in January. This is “based on their reliable assessment of the health status of their teachers and learners and the IATF risk classification.”

The class suspension will cover online and physical classes at all levels. And it also covers other teaching-related activities in all private and public schools in the city.

Importance of health breaks

According to a recent poll conducted by TimelyMD, an overwhelming majority (85 percent) of college students claim that they are still experiencing heightened stress and/or anxiety as a result of COVID-19. Women reported greater rates of coronavirus-related stress than males (93 percent vs. 78 percent ). Despite this rise in stress and anxiety, only 21% of students questioned indicated that they sought emotional help from a certified counselor or mental health professional in person or via telemedicine.

While students’ brains may be free of academic pressures, emotional, social, and financial concerns — as well as a general sense of anxiety and insecurity — remain ubiquitous as a result of these acute and chronic stresses. Many people lament the loss of loved ones and fear for their own safety. Many are distraught by lost employment or internships and are still feeling the effects of social isolation.

The term “school mental health” is typically used to discuss the mental health and wellness of students. However, it also includes promoting the well-being of school-based educators, administrators, and mental health workers.

Why did DepEd declare the suspension of classes?

In a memorandum addressed to the schools’ division superintendents of NCR, DepEd said classes shall be suspended starting January 15. According to DepEd Calabarzon, the academic break aims to “ease the health burden caused by the surge of COVID-19 cases to the physical and mental well-being of the school personnel and learners.”

In a statement, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers said the department’s move is a recognition of their call for a two-week academic break.

What happens during and after the academic break?

Will the academic setup be ever the same after the academic break? How will the current health situation of the country affect the learning modalities? Here’s what we know so far:

1. Duration

The suspension period is not to exceed two weeks in order to avoid a prolonged disruption in the current school calendar.

2. Private schools

According to DepEd, private schools “may exercise their own discretion relative to the suspended classes and K to 12 learning activities when COVID-19 risks in their respective areas are high.” Meanwhile, prior to this announcement, several schools have already declared a “health break” beginning January 10, postponing classes and submission of requirements.

3. Public schools

DepEd has instructed its local offices to “exercise discretion” in suspending classes and other teaching-related activities.

4. No online classes but learning materials published online

Once classes resume, the conduct will be “on purely asynchronous distance learning modalities.” This means no online classes would be conducted but teachers would post online learning materials and activities that students need to accomplish.

5. Resumption of classes

While the suspension of classes runs from January 15 to 22, classes in NCR are to resume on January 24 to January 29, since January 22 falls on a weekend.

6. Mid-year break

DepEd said the mid-year break scheduled on January 31 to February 5 shall be utilized by the learners to comply with backlogs in learning outputs while teachers are expected to attend to their usual activities including in-service training and other learning-related undertakings.

7. Reporting of teachers

According to the DepEd Calabarzon, physical reporting of teachers will be not required by the school heads for the duration of the class suspensions.

8. Examinations and accomplishment of requirements

Further, DepEd said the second quarter examinations shall be on February 7 to 8 while the schedule of submission of learning outputs by the students is on February 7 to 12 using online platforms and other mechanisms.

9. No nationwide health breaks

After allowing its local officials to decide whether or not classes will be suspended in their respective areas, the Department of Education (DepEd) on January 14, maintained that it will not declare a nationwide academic or health break.

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Written by: Aiya Rodjel

Last December, the country was slowly seeing a semblance of normalcy. There were less than 500 new COVID-19 cases reported each day. Unfortunately, there was a short-lived momentum. The Philippines saw a surge in new COVID-19 patients following the holiday season, which prompted the government to take action.

Due to the critical number of new cases in the National Capital Region, the Metro Manila Council and Department of Transportation (DOTR) announced a ‘no vaccination, no ride policy.’ This meant that people could not ride public vehicles in Metro Manila starting Monday (January 17). New policies like this are a good reason for having a fiber internet connection at home through an internet service provider in the Philippines.

You can also check out these related articles:

• Latest COVID-19 Updates in the Philippines
• Here are the Latest Updates on the Limited Face to Face Classes in PH
• Know the List of Holidays in the Philippines this 2022
• Why DepEd declares “Health Break” and Actually Suspends Classes

Who is affected by this public transportation policy?

According to reports, everyone taking public transportation to, from, and within Metro Manila has to follow this policy. This means that even those who pass through Metro Manila via public transport will are under the scope of the new rule.

Under the order, the allowed and justified travelers are only fully vaccinated individuals. A fully vaccinated person is one who received his second dose (for two-dose COVID-19 vaccine) two weeks prior travel. Additionally, the same is true for a person who received his single-dose vaccine two weeks prior travel.

On the other hand, there are exemptions to this rule. Travelers who have medical conditions preventing them from being vaccinated against COVID-19 will be excused from this rule. However, the requirement is to provide a valid and duly signed medical certificate with their doctors’ names and contact details.

Per the DOTr, unvaccinated commuters who will buy essential goods and services and those who need medical attention will have pardon from this rule. They have to show a duly issued barangay health pass other proof to justify the travel.

How does the policy affect public transportation in the National Capital Region?

Various local government units and all concerned attached agencies agreed that the scope of their ordinance will cover all forms of public transportation. This means no matter if you’re traveling by land, water, or air, you would need some proof of vaccination.

Traveling by land

The department order said that commuters who intend to ride the LRT and MRT trains and the Philippine National Railways (PNR), as well as other modes of public vehicles, are required to present a physical or digital copy of their vaccination cards issued by their respective local government units before they are allowed entry to stations, terminals or vehicles.

In addition to this, additional requirements may be presentation of vaccination certificates, issued by the Department of Health (DOH) or the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) valid government-issued ID.

Jeepney drivers and other public utility vehicles aren’t the only ones checking for vaccination proof. There will also be ‘mystery passengers’ who may ride with them to ensure that people are compliant with the rule.

Traveling by sea

If you’re going to the province through a ferry or ship, you also need to present proof of vaccination. As per the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), this policy applies to passengers “to, from and within” Metro Manila “including individuals residing outside NCR (National Capital Region) but who works and travel to the same, passing through ports under the [PPA’s] jurisdiction, including private ports.”

Traveling by air

The same rule applies to passengers going to and from Metro Manila via airplane. A lot of provinces have issued their respective ordinances for entrance requirements. This means a lot of people who travel via plane bring their vaccination cards and a valid government-issued ID with them anyway.

However, the new rule has additional stipulations. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, any passenger during the flight who will suddenly show symptoms like fever or dry cough will transfer to an isolation area in the last three rows of the aircraft’s cabin. This is so they can isolate and be given assistance. Only designated cabin crew members will attend to the symptomatic passenger, CAAP said.

To find out the additional requirements for air travel, you can visit their respective local government unit website. And you can do this with your connection from an internet service provider in the Philippines.

What are the penalties for the no vaccination no ride policy?

The No Vaccination, No Ride Policy states that violators may suffer the punishment under local government unit ordinances and other laws. This varies from city to city. Violators may face penalties such as P500 to P5,000 fines or imprisonment for five days up to six months.

The Department of Transportation (DOTR) warned PUV operators and drivers about non-compliance with the policy. It will be considered a “violation of applicable general safety and health provisions under any concession or service agreements, authority or permits to operate public transportation, and other similar instruments.” Violators may face penalties such as fines ranging from P1,000 to P10,000 or suspension or revocation of the PUV franchise, depending on the gravity of their offense.

Complying with the No Vaccination, No Ride Policy

The enhanced restrictions in Metro Manila are under implementation to respond to the dangers of the current surge. After all, unvaccinated people are most vulnerable to the new Omicron variant. While the new rule may be a nuisance to some, following the directions is essential to help manage the crisis.

To update yourself with the latest policies in Metro Manila and beyond, you must have a fiber internet connection at home. As one of the newest internet service providers in the Philippines, we at Streamtech can help you stay up-to-date with the latest news.

We not only provide a fiber internet connection. But we also connect you with your favorite television channels through our partnership with Planet Cable. Knowledge is power, especially now. Hence, we ensure you have access to medical and dental necessities through your internet connection.

Navigating through a global pandemic can be challenging. However, with fiber internet in your arsenal, you can face the future with confidence. Connect with our team to know more.

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