Mayor Vico Sotto says that he agrees with President Duterte in not opening the schools for this coming school year.

In an interview with PEP.ph, he stated that according to their Congressman Roman Romulo, Chairman of Basic Education in the Congress, “kailangan hindi huminto yung pag-aaral ng mga bata, sila kinabukasan natin.”

“One semester na tumigil mag aral mga bata, masisira momentum nila sa pag-aaral nila.”

He also mentioned that the reading level capacity of the children are not that high yet. There are a lot of kids that are non-readers and frustrated readers. “Kung tumigil tayo ng isang semestre, this should be very difficult for the kids to catch up.”

Vico said that we should at least try and explore the online or virtual classes. As for those who cannot access the Internet, “Pinaghahandaan din namin yon. Kung sino yung pwede nating ipartner, ano yung pwede nating gawin para lumakas yung Internet connection.”

“Kung sabihing wala talaga, baka puwede sa TV, merong mga educational shows, sa radyo, so ganun pa yung pag-iisip namin, eto rin yung sinasabi ni Congressman Romulo.”

Vico Sotto said that he agrees on the President’s statement in the cancellation of traditional classes since it is a greater risk for the students. However, they are still planning for an alternative learning so that the education for the students will still continue.