SBG reminds importance of ‘HSOs’ as schools open

SENATE Committee on Health chair, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go, has suggested assigning ‘health safety officers’ (HSOs) in schools in view of the resumption of physical classes to help safeguard the welfare of students, teachers, and school personnel, and to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

In an ambush interview after personally providing aid to struggling residents in Maasin City, Leyte on Thursday, August 11, Go said that while he agrees with the resumption of face-to-face classes in select areas, the government must prioritize the health and safety of the students.

“Okay naman siguro. Sang-ayon po ako na bumalik tayo sa face-to-face classes but unahin po natin ang kalusugan at buhay ng ating kabataan,” said the senator, adding:

“Always health and life ang priority natin dahil tumataas na naman ang kaso (ng COVID-19) sa ngayon.”

He noted that the Senate itself was forced to adopt stricter health protocols after 3 of his colleagues got struck with the virus.

“Recently, tatlong senador ang nag-positive sa COVID. Patunay na tumataas na naman ang kaso, kaya doble ingat tayo at pag-aralan natin nang mabuti ang sitwasyon.”

Go then floated the idea of assigning HSOs in schools to check on the safety of the students, teachers, and school personnel.

“Dapat meron tayong ilagay na… health officer sa eskwelahan… to check na safe ba talaga ang mga bata, safe ang mga teacher, at dapat po magpabakuna ang lahat,” he added.

The start of classes is set on August 22 and shall last until July 7, 2023, according to Department of Education Order No. 034, s. 2022.

The options to have five-day in-person classes, blended learning modality, or full distance learning will be allowed only until October 31, 2022.

Starting November 2, 2022, all public and private schools are expected to transition to the usual five-day in-person classes.

Meanwhile, in light of the rising COVID-19 cases in the country as well as other emerging health threats such as Monkeypox, Go said that the Senate Health Committee will conduct a public hearing this Monday, August 15, 2022, to discuss with relevant authorities the updates on the government’s COVID-19 pandemic response, including reports on vaccine wastage, and other health concerns such as the measures to prevent the spread of monkeypox.

Aside from the formal organizational meeting of the committee, Go said they would also tackle the reported wastage of millions of doses of government procured vaccines against COVID-19.

“Bilang chair ng Senate Health Committee, interes ko na masigurong ginagawa nating lahat sa gobyerno ang mga dapat gawin upang maprotektahan ang kalusugan at buhay ng mga Pilipino,” assured Go.