Bong Go supports return to old school calendar amid rising heat and concerns raised by students, teachers

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go voiced his support for the Department of Education's (DepEd) intent to revert to the previous school calendar where breaks are held during summer.

The DepEd announced on Tuesday, May 7, that starting next school year (SY), the academic calendar would shift back to its old schedule. This announcement was formalized through Department Order No. 003 S. of 2024, which also set the upcoming school year to begin on July 29, 2024, and conclude on May 16, 2025.

"Talaga namang napakainit ng panahon ngayon. Malaking pasakit ito sa mga guro at estudyante, at nakakaantala sa pag-aaral nila. Unahin dapat natin ang kalusugan ng mga kabataan sa paraang hindi masasakripisyo ang edukasyon," Go said.

The adjustment comes in response to the rising heat index, which has prompted calls for a scheduling overhaul to ensure the safety and comfort of students. Senator Go's endorsement of this shift underscores the importance of balancing the health and well-being of students with the need to ensure quality education.

"As chairperson po ng Committee on Health, una talaga sa akin ay safety, health and welfare ng mga estudyante. At ako po'y natutuwa, as reported, that President Bongbong Marcos is open to the idea na ibalik kaagad sa dating school calendar ang paaralan natin dahil sa tumitinding init po tuwing summer," Go said previously.

According to Go, the strategic shift can accommodate the academic needs of students better while adapting to the changing environmental conditions that the country faces.

"Sa atin pong pagbisita sa maraming lugar para tumugon sa pangangailangan ng marami nating kababayan, nasasaksihan natin kung gaano kalaking parusa, lalo na sa mga musmos, ang tindi na ng singaw ng dingding at kisame sa mga classroom na wala namang aircon. Kaya nagpapasalamat rin tayo sa DepEd dahil sa anunsyong pagpapatupad ng asynchronous classes o distance learning sa mga apektadong pampublikong paaralan dahil sa grabeng init ng panahon sa ilang mga lugar," he said.

"Habang isinusulong natin na makapag-aral ng maayos ang kabataan, siguraduhin din nating ligtas sila mula sa kapahamakan at banta sa kalusugan lalo na't sila ang kinabukasan ng ating bayan. Palagi nating tandaan na ang kalusugan ay katumbas 'yan ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino," he added.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. recently asked Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte to craft a comprehensive strategy to transition all schools to the June-March schedule by the following year.

News articles referencing information from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) have highlighted that temperatures in certain regions have hit "danger levels." Recently, Metro Manila experienced its highest recorded temperature of 38.8 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 38.6 degrees set in 1915.

The senator then encouraged the public to protect their well-being amid existing and emerging health risks brought about by the hot weather.

"Bilang Chair ng Senate Committee on Health, pinapaalalahanan natin at ng PhilHealth na kung sinuman po ang tamaan ng heat stroke, tumaas na po nang hanggang P8,450 ang existing package nila upang tulungan kayong magpagamot. Huwag din pong kalimutan na pwedeng-pwede po kayong kumonsulta sa pinakamalapit na mga operational Super Health Center sa inyong lugar. May mga government hospitals din na maaari kayong magpa-check-up at makahingi ng medical assistance sa mga Malasakit Centers sa inyong lugar," Go enumerated.

The senator initiated the Malasakit Centers program and later institutionalized it under Republic Act No. 11463, which he principally sponsored and authored with the help of his fellow lawmakers. There are now 164 Malasakit Centers, and according to the DOH, the program has helped more than ten million patients nationwide.

"Isinulong po natin ang mga programa't proyektong iyan para ilapit ang serbisyo medikal sa mga Pilipinong nangangailangan nito," he added.

Aside from schools, Go also highlighted the need to also prioritize health in the workplace.

"Bukod sa kabataan, ikonsidera rin sana ng pampubliko at pribadong sektor ang pagkakaroon ng adjustments sa oras ng trabaho at pag-aralan ang work-from-home arrangements kung maaari. Bigyan din ng heat breaks ang mga manggagawang nakabilad sa araw dahil mas magastos po sa lahat kung magkasakit ang mga empleyado dahil sa init," he said.