SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Saturday raised concerns on the safety and welfare of educators nationwide as they continue to distribute self-learning modules.

Gatchalian reiterated that teachers and school personnel should be assured all their school needs are addressed since they are crucial in the rollout of the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan.

The senator said a back-to-school list should now include face masks and face shields, but admittedly, he said investing in safety gears and protective equipment for a long period of time could be costly to teachers.

“Kailangan nating tulungan ang mga guro na protektahan ang kanilang mga sarili laban sa Covid19. Mayroon sa kanila ang naglabas na mula sa sarili nilang bulsa para may maipambili lang ng gagamitin para sa distance learning, pati pambili ng face masks at alcohol. Huwag nating hayaang madagdagan pa ang gastusin nila,” he said.

In connection with this, the lawmaker is donating 3.5 million face masks and 600,000 face shields to various schools in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna.

Around 155,536 public school teachers, school and assistant school principals, public school district supervisors, school division superintendents and assistant school division superintendents will benefit from the donation.

The donation will be launched at the Valenzuela School of Mathematics and Science with Gatchalian personally turning over face masks and face shields to the school’s teachers and principals.

“Isa lamang ito sa mga eskwelahan na bibisitahin natin para mamigay ng face masks at face shields. Kailangang masiguro natin na ligtas ang mga guro, punong-guro, pati na ibang kawani ng paaralan sa pagbubukas ng klase sa Lunes,” he said.

Education officials earlier said the agency’s 2020 budget does not cover Covid19 medication, treatment or hospitalization of teachers and non-teaching staff.

“Dahil hindi naman sakop ang mga guro sa pondo ng ahensiya para sa mga gastusing may kinalaman sa Covid19, mas mainam na makaiwas sila sa posibleng pagkahawa sa virus kaya malaking bagay ang face masks at face shields para hindi rin makahawa sa mga estudyanteng tatanggap ng mga learning modules, “ Gatchalian said.

Earlier, the Department of Education said regional offices and school division offices should have established health and safety protocols ahead of the October 5 school opening to distribute the modules without endangering teachers and students.

“By stocking up on face coverings, we’re hoping that teachers and school heads can protect themselves and their students from the coronavirus disease,” he said.