SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is pushing for regular Covid19 tests for teachers after three Zambales schools cancelled  their participation in Monday’s pilot run of limited face-to-face classes because some teachers tested positive for the virus.

Seven teachers tested positive in the antigen rapid test sponsored by the local government a day before the start of the in-person classes.

“Dapat pag-isipan din natin ang regular na Covid19 testing ng mga teachers. Pati ‘yung vaccination nila ay dapat nating i-monitor nang mabuti. To minimize risks, we need to test. Kaya dapat mapondohan ang testing ng mga teachers at kung may nag-positive man, merong nakahandang suporta para sa kanila,” Gatchalian said.

To ensure the immediate provision of financial aid for teachers who will test positive for Covid19, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture earlier urged the Department of Education to work with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation in creating a special lane for teachers.

Gatchalian reiterated that this would ease the burden of teachers.

During his visit to schools, he noted that school officials and teachers are prepared for in-person classes but he said there is a need to provide financial support to schools to ensure adequate health supplies and facilities for water, sanitation and hygiene.

The lawmaker has been pushing to make the safe reopening of schools a priority in DepEd’s 2022 national budget.

“What we need is support. Kailangang maipaabot natin ‘yung suporta sa mga paaralan sa pamamagitan ng pondo upang makabili pa sila ng mga kagamitan at tuloy-tuloy ang paglilinis ng paligid. Importante sa health protocols ang pagliinis, pagbili ng mga sabon, at paggawa ng iba pang mga pasilidad,” Gatchalian added.

The dry run of face-to-face classes in 20 private schools is set to start on November 22.