SOME elementary, secondary, and tertiary schools in Baguio City are ready for the gradual resumption of physical classes next week, Mayor Benjamin Magalong said on Thursday.

The mayor said that colleges and universities in the city must strictly comply with the health and safety protocols, retrofit their facilities, and get the local government’s approval before they can hold physical classes.

“Extracurricular activities are subject to the approval of both CHED and the LGU. Records have to be set before final approval for face-to-face academics,” he added.

Magalong lauded the resumption of classes, saying school closures resulted in “huge financial and other losses.”

“Sources present huge financial losses as students and parents use the internet and modules for classes; as with less learning, lower future income productivity and competitiveness,” he said.

The Asian Development Bank said that 10 percent of permanent wages is lost every year due to school closures.

Families were also financially affected because some parents skip work to help their child with modules or online learning.

“Due to lost income, there is inability to provide for gadget for distance learning. Studies show that there are forgone future wages and productivity over school closures for teachers and personnel,” Magalong said.