Senator Win Gatchalian is urging local government units (LGUs) to prepare for the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11, a move that he said would be crucial in boosting confidence in safely reopening schools amid the threat of the Omicron variant.

Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Health (DOH), and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to uphold the safety and welfare of children in Odette-hit areas.

While Senator Win Gatchalian welcomed the addition of more schools in the pilot implementation of limited face-to-face classes, he pressed the need for continued vigilance especially as the world monitors the threat of the Omicron variant.

Senator Win Gatchalian is pressing to accelerate the vaccination of minors and teachers following the global alarm on the COVID-19 variant Omicron.

With the national government set to fully devolve basic services and facilities to local government units (LGUs) in 2022, Senator Win Gatchalian says local school boards should be strengthened in their capacity to deliver educational programs and services.

While the Department of Education (DepEd) is seeking an additional P2.58 billion in 2022 to hire 10,000 teachers, more than 30,000 teaching positions are yet to be filled as of September this year.

The Senior High School Voucher Program (SHS-VP) is in peril with its budget facing a looming decline of P.8.7 billion for the next fiscal year, Senator Win Gatchalian said.

For Senator Win Gatchalian, the education department should ensure that funds are properly used to procure and provide computers for the country’s public schools.

Senator Win Gatchalian is urging the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and local government units (LGUs) to help the Department of Education (DepEd) in accelerating full COVID-19 vaccination coverage among teachers.