SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday said that placing the National Capital Region under Alert Level 1 will allow more schools to participate in limited face-to-face classes.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture pushed for the safe resumption of in-person learning, noting that the lack of face-to-face classes will cause what economic managers called education and economic scarring.

“Ngayong patuloy ang pagbuti ng sitwasyon sa Metro Manila at sa maraming bahagi ng bansa, dapat tutukan at bigyan natin ng prayoridad ang ligtas na pagbabalik ng ating mga mag-aaral sa face-to-face classes,” Gatchalian said.

Estimates from the National Economic and Development Authority showed that the lack of face-to-face classes for a year will cost P11 trillion in productivity losses over the next 40 years.

“Ang ligtas na pagbabalik ng face-to-face classes ay mahalagang hakbang upang makabangon ang sektor ng edukasyon mula sa epekto ng pandemya, at patuloy natin itong tututukan,” Gatchalian said.

The Inter-Agency Task Force has placed the National Capital Region under Alert Level 1 from March 1 to 15, citing the high vaccination rate and declining Covid19 cases.

Despite improvements in the country’s Covid19 situation, Gatchalian maintained the need to ensure the strict implementation of health protocols in schools.

He emphasized the need to expand vaccination coverage among teachers and learners nationwide, especially among the 14 million learners aged 5-to-11.

Earlier this month, the Department of Education allowed the expansion of face-to-face classes in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2.

Schools participating in limited face-to-face classes should be compliant with the standards of the School Safety Assessment Tool.

Only vaccinated teachers are allowed to participate in physical classes. Learners who have been inoculated will also be given preference.