METRO Manila mayors asked the Department of Education to include several private schools in the National Capital Region in the pilot limited face-to-face classes.

“Hinihiling nila (NCR mayors) na kung masasali na ang NCR ay lahat ng mga siyudad sa NCR ay mayroong kahit isang representative school dito sa pilot,” Education Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said in a media briefing.

DepEd said that 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, 5 senior high schools, and 20 private schools will take part in the program.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergerie said that 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 that this measure will ensure the safety of students and teachers.