THE DEPARTMENT of Education said that the attempts of some local government officials to delay the opening of classes did not materialize because the Bayanihan 2 Law takes precedence over local resolutions.

The province of Sultan Kudarat attempted to move the opening of classes to next year but the resolution was not approved.

“Several local governments issued resolution na ayaw nilang magbukas ng klase pero nandiyan sa batas sa Bayanihan law na superior ang national office of the government privileges so on and so forth. Hindi natuloy ang mga attempts,” Briones said.

Recently, Gov. Suharto ‘Teng’ Mangudadatu released Executive Order 52 Series of 2020 postponing the opening of classes in elementary and high school to 2021.

“All administrative staff of private and public schools in the Province of Sultan Kudarat are directed to resume their work and functions, maintaining a skeletal workforce, wearing face masks and to observe the social distancing in the office. However, the school opening for elementary and high school in the Province of Sultan Kudarat shall be deferred until SY 2021,” the resolution said.

The governor cited problems on slow internet connection as one of the reasons behind the attempt to delay class opening.

Mangudadatu added that he did not want to expose students and teachers to the risk of contracting the coronavirus disease.