SENATOR  Sherwin ‘Win’  Gatchalian said classes will start this coming school year despite the challenges and calls for academic freeze.

“Hindi po tayo papayag na maiwanan ang ating kabataan pagdating sa pag-aaral,” he added.

Gatchalian assured that concerned government officials will do their best to deliver  quality education under the basic education continuity plan.

Gatchalian is chairman of the Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

Meanwhile, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said the pandemic should not be a hindrance to continued education, stressing that children are the future of the country.

“Let us not allow any virus or pandemic to allow our children to stop learning. Rather, let’s continue to work hard for the future of our country,” he said.

He added that Filipinos should unite and help each other in making the new learning process a success.

For his part, Navotas Rep. John Rey Tiangco hailed teachers for their compassion.

“Dahil sa kanilang pagiging mahusay at pagiging malikhain at higit sa lahat sa kanilang pagmamahal at pagmamalasakit sa kabataan, nakagawa sila ng paraang pinakaangkop sa ating lungsod,” he said.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones has repeatedly commended Navotas City for its support to the new normal in education.

In line with this, Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla created the virtual private network which will initially benefit  650,000 students of Cavite.

“We are investing over P400 million a year for five years to set up a Virtual Private Network to serve the entire DepEd,” he said.

The program will involve setting up 5,000 access points across 829 barangays for 400,000 homes and will use the DepEd system to download lessons on smartphones, laptops and tablets.

The #CaviteFreeWiFi will only be for the learners as it can only be accessed through the DepEd’s student number system.

Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla has said students of the said LGUs are “very blessed” as their leaders are providing for their needs under the new normal education system.