MORE schools in Ilocos Region have joined  the expanded phase of limited face-to-face classes, the Department of Education said.

Of the 503 schools added to the list, 166 started holding physical classes between the last week of February and first week of March. The remaining 377 have yet to start.

These schools include 18 in Alaminos City, Pangasinan; 13 in Pangasinan DepEd Division 2; 10 in San Carlos City, Pangasinan; 9 in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan; 8 in Pangasinan DepEd Division 1; 34 in Batac City, Ilocos Norte; 5 in Laoag City, Ilocos, Norte; 19 in Ilocos Norte DepEd Division; 35 in Candon City, Ilocos Sur; 14 in Ilocos Sur DepEd Division; and 1 in Vigan City.

Cesar Bucsit, DepEd Ilocos Region Public Affairs Unit head, said that of those offering or will be offering limited in-person classes, 515 are public schools while eight are private schools.

Based on the “Interim Guidelines on the Expansion of Limited Face-to-Face Classes” issued by DepEd, expansion schools must pass the standards of the School Safety Assessment Tool.

The schools should be in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2; have obtained the clearance of their respective local government units and written consent of parents.

Regional Education Program Supervisor Johnson Sunga said  that several health and safety protocols will be followed.

“Only vaccinated teachers may participate while inoculated learners shall be preferred but not required,” Sunga said.