DepEd to proceed with CVIRAA meet

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will push through with the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) meet despite Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia’s opposition in the holding of offsite activities.

Earlier, Garcia, who sits as a co-chairperson for the Provincial School Board (PSB), has opposed these activities as a concern for the students’ welfare, especially in the spread of the Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19).

DepEd-7 Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez said that despite the delay in the holding of the CVIRAA, they will push through with the activity on March 21 in Dumaguete City.

“We really appreciate the concern of the governor for the welfare of the constituents, but on the DepEd side, it is our mandate and we are required to have and conduct such activity,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez added that they have to push through with the activity, for this serves as the selection tournament for Central Visayas representatives for the upcoming Palarong Pambansa on May 1-12.

Jimenez said that they received the fourth set of policy from DepEd that they can resume school activities, such as the national, division, and regional activities.

“We are taking precautionary measures.  In fact, we have series of meetings to assure the public that all our athletes and all the attendees and spectators are really taken care of,” said Jimenez.

The official added that the nurses both in Negros Oriental and Dumaguete City Division will have an orientation on Covid-19 on March 4 with the Department of Health. The DepEd has disseminated information and memorandum on the implementation of the task force Covid-19 in schools.

“Self-awareness is very important so that they themselves can take care of themselves,” said Jimenez.

He said that there is a strict implementation of hand washing for the students in schools, as a way for the students to be self-aware in taking measures to protect themselves.  GAN (FREEMAN)