THE INTER-AGENCY Task Force Against Covid19 is considering the appeal of Metro Manila mayors to have a pilot run of limited face-to-face classes in the National Capital Region, Malacañang said on Saturday.

Palace Spokesman Harry Roque said the IATF has always listened to what NCR mayors had to say.

“Hindi po natin kailanman binabalewala ang panawagan at rekomendasyon ng mga Metro Manila mayors dahil sila naman po ang nagpapatupad ng mga polisiya ng IATF. Pakikinggan po sila,” Roque said in a media briefing.

DepEd said 59 public schools will participate in the pilot run of limited physical classes on November 15.

These schools are in the provinces of Masbate, Antique, Cebu, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Saranggani Province, and North Cotabato.

Based on the guidelines for the pilot implementation, 95 public elementary schools, five senior high schools, and 20 private schools will take part in the program.

On Thursday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergerie said schools included in the pilot run must be in areas with low or minimal Covid19 risk.

“Pumapasok na sa Alert Level 2 ang mga ipinasok natin dito sa ating isinama ngayon na 59 na eskwelahan. Ating titingnan sa mga susunod na linggo kung ano pang ibang areas ang puwede nating maisama sa Alert Level 2,” Vergerie said.

“Halimbawa sa NCR mayroong isang barangay o lugar na may eskwelahan at nakita nating mababa ang risk niya kahit ang buong NCR ay nasa Alert Level 4, maaari nating isama ‘yun,” she said, adding the measure will ensure the safety of students and teachers.