VIRTUAL CLASS. Junior high school student Rhesa Joy Fortich, 14, from Dasmariñas Integrated High School in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, listens to lessons during an online class using her mobile phone on Tuesday (Oct. 6, 2020). The Philippine National Police (PNP) urged the public to report those who create unnecessary noise in their areas to ensure that blended learning for students in their homes would not be disrupted. (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)
MANILA – The Joint Task Force Covid Shield on Tuesday urged the public to report to local officials those who create unnecessary noise that disrupts online classes and modular learning of students in their homes.
Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, task force commander, said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Camilo Cascolan, has ordered the establishment of barangay assistance centers that would be manned by at least two police officers.
The setting up of assistance desks strengthens the existing policy where a police officer is assigned to act as a quarantine rules supervisor who leads village watchmen in enforcing quarantine protocols.
“We also encourage the parents and even the students themselves to let us know the noisy activities of their neighbors during their study time. We have hotlines and even a Facebook account to receive your complaints and we assure you of immediate action,” said Eleazar.
If possible, Eleazar said the complainant could shoot photos or take videos of drinking session and use of videoke that could be used against the violators.
He said the public could also reach the PNP and the JTF COVID Shield through the following hotlines: PNP Helpline 16677, 0998-849-0013 for Smart users, 0917-538-2495 for Globe users and PNP-Highway Patrol Group Hotline 0926-225-5474.
The PNP and JTF Covid Shield could also be reached via [email protected] and [email protected].
He said the police force has also intensified its enforcement of local ordinances aimed at ensuring that learners would not be disrupted during online classes.
Among these are ordinances against drinking in public and ordinances regulating the use of videoke.
Eleazar, also PNP deputy chief for administration, said blended learning methods implemented by the Department of Education amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat has practically turned every community into a learning space.
"Our students experience difficulty in adjusting because we are doing this for the first time. Let us not add to their burden. Remember, your right to engage in noisy talks in your neighborhood ends when the right of the students to study in peace and in silence begins. Your right to sing using your videoke also ends when the right of the students not to be distracted to focus on their learning modules begins. Sisiguraduhin namin na mananagot kayo (We will make sure to go after you),” said Eleazar.
Eleazar said that since some of the LGUs already have ordinances regulating the use of videoke for instance, some of the provisions could be amended to include prohibition in the use of the videoke machine during the time that students are attending online classes or answering modules.
Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas ordered the five police districts in Metro Manila to coordinate with local officials of barangays to address the maintaining order in communities amid the blended learning system being observed,
The five police districts under NCRPO are the Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD).
"For now, we have already issued a directive to our police officers to coordinate with the barangays. The directive from Camp Crame is close coordination with the barangay to check na dapat hindi maingay (that there must be no unnecessary noise)," Sinas told reporters in a press conference at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
Sinas said there is no report yet on arrests made against violators of protocols or those who have been disturbing online learners by making noise in communities, including videoke sessions.
No students, minors in internet shops
Despite the opening of blended classes in public schools, Defense Secretary and National Task Force on Covid-19 chairperson Delfin Lorenzana said internet shops are still not allowed to cater to students and minors.
"Enclosed kasi mga yan. Alam naman natin na pinakamalaki ang transmission sa mga enclosed and air-conditioned places. Therefore, Hindi pa puede (These are enclosed spaces. We are aware that there is a high chance of transmission in enclosed and air-conditioned places. Therefore, it is not allowed," he said when asked if it is feasible to let internet shops cater to students attending online classes.
Earlier, the Joint Task Force Covid Shield ordered police officers to coordinate with local officials in reminding computer shop owners to comply with quarantine protocols in resuming operations amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) crisis.
Internet shops were among the business establishments which were allowed to operate in September as the government started to ease quarantine restrictions to allow the gradual resumption of business operations and revive the economy amid the pandemic. (with reports from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
