TRAFFIC. Students queue Ablan Avenue on their way to the main gate of the Ilocos Norte National High School. More students are expected in the coming weeks as the school prepares for the full implementation of face-to-face learning. (PNA photo by Leilanie Adriano)
LAOAG CITY – The first day opening of classes on Monday caused traffic jams in Laoag’s university belt areas, particularly along Ablan avenue and P. Gomez street where most schools are located.
School officials at the Ilocos Norte National High School said traffic congestion could get even worst when students go on full face-to-face (F2F) classes.
Data from the Schools Division of Ilocos Norte (SDOIN) said they have logged a total 85,515 enrolees so far from kindergarten to senior high school.
As early as 6 a.m. on Monday, school principal Rolen Oracion of the San Nicolas Elementary School said in an interview that several barangay tanods and police officers were deployed in front of the school to ensure the smooth flow of traffic while students pass through the pedestrian lane leading to the school gate.
“Prior to the opening of classes, we requested our barangay tanods and the municipal police to help us man the expected traffic during rush hours,” she said.
As the biggest school in San Nicolas town, Oracion said there are some students who still availed of the last day of enrolment on Monday.
Upon the directive of Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc, personnel of the Provincial Education Department led by Dr. Danny Daquioag, also made rounds in schools on Monday to monitor the opening of classes and to ensure that minimum health protocols are observed.
A separate monitoring team from the SDOIN led by Dr. Lloyd Rosquita, chief of the School Governance and Operations Division, likewise distributed water bottles, face masks, and tote bags with snacks to selected schools they visited in various parts of the province.
According to Rosquita, the number of students at the Caparispisan Elementary School in Pagudpud town has doubled to 75 students from last year’s 34 enrollees from Kindergarten to Grade 6.
As Ilocos Norte was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 Signal early Monday with light to moderate rains in some parts of the province, Laoag schools division superintendent Vilma Eda said kindergarten pupils were sent home for their safety.
With no rain indicator so far, pupils in other schools such as the Badio Elementary School (BES) in Pinili, Ilocos Norte immediately proceeded with their classes after the flag raising ceremony.
“It’s the first day of classes and we have a lot of catching up to do,” said Aileen Rambaud, school principal of BES, citing the learners live nearby the school and they can just go home anytime in case of heavy downpour. (PNA)
