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ice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte announced that in-person modality of learning will push through starting on November 2.

Prior to Department of Education (DepEd) Order 044, signed by Duterte, private schools are signaled to proceed with either five-day face-toface classes, blended learning, or full distance modality starting November 2. This order has also been already approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“For August 22 until October 31, options are indicated in our department order. First is the five-day in-person classes. Secondly, the blended modality. This is where [schools may opt to do] three days of in-person [classes] and then two days of remote, or distance learning. And then after, they can shift to four days of in-person classes and one-day distance learning, or they can mix it up,” Duterte said.

However, from November 2 and beyond, all schools must shift to in-person classes with the implementation of “physical distancing” whenever possible.

While blended learning and online classes will still be allowed as of August to October 2022, DepEd Spokesperson Michael Poa said that all schools nationwide shall transition to face-toface by November 2022.

“To institutionalize blended learning is something that we’re thinking of but for now, the clear provisions of DepEd Order No. 34 are that after October 31, which is November 2, moving forward, in-person classes will be mandatory,” Poa said in a mix of English and Filipino during a press conference on Aug. 10.

Poa emphasized that there has been research on learning loss in other nations aside from the Philippines.

He pointed out that some of them were compelled to quit attending school during the epidemic because they lacked the funds to purchase technology or pay for an internet connection, which was essential for distance learning.

“That’s why this administration is pushing for in-person [classes] para yung mga nawalan ng (so that those who have lost the) opportunity during the pandemic, makabalik na (they can go back) to learning,” he added. C

SIM CARD

FROM PAGE 14 science and technology advocates from the non-governmental organization called AghamAdvocates of Science and Technology for the People stated that building power plants cannot solve the country’s power crisis.

“The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is already antiquated, faulty, and dangerous and has served as a milking cow for corrupt practices. It will be an additional burden to consumers as all the prerequisite costs to operate the plant, such as nuclear tax, recommissioning, and waste disposal costs, would be passed on charges,” the group said.

Prior efforts to seek nuclear energy were abandoned due to safety concerns, but the new strategy is based on a proposal to restart BNPP under the new administration. C

On, November 16, Poe defended the proposed P11.322 billion budget of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for 2023 at the senate plenary session and provided the timeline of the recently passed law.

This act requires all SIM card users to register their numbers under their names with telco companies using any valid identification documents or government-issued IDs. Registering a SIM card using forged documents or with a fictitious identity will be subject to appropriate legal penalties ranging from a P100,000 to a P3000,000 fine, six months of imprisonment, or both. A minor's registration of SIM shall be in the name of the parent or guardian.

Office of the Press Secretary officer-in-charge Cheloy Garafil stated that this act aims to provide "accountability in the use of SIM cards and aid law enforcers to track perpetrators of crimes committed through phones."

Before selling SIM cards, Public Telecommunications Entities (PTEs) and their authorized direct distributors shall require their customers to provide valid identification documents stored in their system for references needed by law enforcement agencies to investigate phone-related crimes. People who cannot register their numbers within 180 days of the implementation will be automatically deactivated.

The law also mandates the registration process must be implemented free of charge. Any PTE who refuses or fails to register a SIM without a good reason, even when the end user complies with the requirements, will be penalized in accordance with the law.

Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) will be discussed at a public hearing with DICT and other stakeholders on December 5 and are expected to be completed and publicized by December 12.

This law was signed into law by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on October 10, making it the first law he signed as the country’s president. C

EDITORIAL BOARD

S.Y. 2021- 2022

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