By: MARK ANTHONY U. CAÑETE

Of all the alternative learning modalities offered by the Department of Education for S.Y. 2020-2021, most learners prefer to use “modular distance learning modality.”
Since face-to-face classes are not yet allowed, Plaridel Elementary School adopts the Modular Distance Learning Delivery Modality. This is based on the results of the Learner Enrollment and Survey Forms (LESFs) distributed during the enrollment period. It showed that most learners prefer to use modular distance learning for school year 2020-2021.
Modular Distance Learning involves individualized instruction that allows learners to use self-learning modules (SLMs) in print or digital format whichever is applicable in the context of the learner. The teacher takes the responsibility of monitoring the progress of the learners. The learners may ask assistance from the teacher via e-mail, telephone, text message/instant messaging, etc. Where possible, the teacher shall do home visits to learners needing remediation or assistance. Any member of the family or other stakeholder in the community needs to serve as para-teachers.
In preparation for the opening of classes on August 24, DepEd Secretary Briones ensures that modules are already available before the start of classes since the preparations for SLMs started in May.
If ever there is a delay in the distribution of SLMs the teachers in our district will use the Activity Sheets and Worksheets that they have made for the first two weeks of classes.
(Note: the author is a teacher-in-charge of Plaridel ES-Dagami North District)

The Department of Public Works and Highways Eastern Samar District Engineering Office is set to implement two farm-to-market road(FMR) projects for the year 2020; 600 meters two-lane road in Barangay Polangi to Brgy. Gayam, Taft and 830 meters two-lane road in Brgy. Bonghon to Brgy. Sto Nino, Dolores.
The FMR projects are funded by the Department of Agriculture (DA) with a total fund allocation of Php 24.5M.
District Engineer Manolo A. Rojas said that the project is expected to be implemented this August 20, 2020. He also directed project engineers and contractors to implement the project in accordance with DPWH standard and specification and to follow COVID-19 protocols during construction.
“These projects will be a big help to our farmers especially on the transportation of farm products to the market which will be a lot easier once the road is completed,” DE Rojas added.
He also disclosed that the road will be a big help to carry out government services to the inner localities and the road will provide safe and convenient transport from the interior barangay to the town proper especially during emergencies.
District Engineer Manolo A. Rojas also directed that all 2020 and prior year projects should be completed before the year ends including the construction of these two FMR projects.
(JAYSON ESPEJO/PR)

TACLOBAN CITY –Some schools here in the city will be doing a dry run on mode of learning that will be implemented for this school year which is to start on August 24.
Students here in the city will be using the modular method of learning though online classes will also be conducted.
“On August 24, diretso implementation kaagad pero there are schools that are doing their dry run para makita nila kun epektibo or ano pa ang dapat nating i-change or i-improve,” Mariza Magan, city schools superintendent, said.
The blended mode of teaching is being introduced by the Department of Education (DepEd) during this school year amid the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) pandemic and ensure the safety not only of the students but the teachers as well.
Magan added that they partnered with the local government unit and barangay officials in the retrieval of modules from students in their respective village.
At present, there are 61,157 students who enrolled in the different schools in the city, a drop compared to last school year’s enrollment of 72,293 students.
The fear of being infected with COVID-19 is the main reason why some parents did not enroll their children this school year.
“We don’t want this kind of situation, this is new to us. What we need to do is to respond kung ano yung pwede nating maibigay para maipagpatuloy yung learning ability ng ating mga learners, ginagawa yun ng DepEd,” Magan said.
“Hopefully, kahit ganitong pamamaraan ang ginagamit natin ay magiging successful pa rin kaya kailangan natin ng tulong ng parents. Hindi naman siguro natin kailangan na mapabayaan ang education ng ating mga kabataan. This is the good for everyone. We always need to think positively,” she added.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)

TACLOBAN CITY- The Department of Health (DOH) has reported of more than 4,300 cases of dengue fever in the region with nine deaths.
The cases cover the period of January up to August 10.
The DOH said that from this period, a total of 4,309 dengue fever cases were monitored by their office of which nine of them have died.
This year’s dengue fever is lower by 73% compare to last year of the same period or 16,238 cases.
Among the six provinces of the region, Leyte posted the highest cases at 2,194 comprising 50.9 percent of the total cases followed by Southern Leyte with 592 cases; Samar, 536 cases; Biliran, 416; Eastern Samar, 298 cases and Northern Samar, 281 cases.
DOH Director Minerva Molon, in a statement, said that no new recorded death for dengue last month.
The night death cases of the region due to dengue fever were from Abuyog, La Paz, Ormoc City, Baybay City and Tacloban City, all in Leyte; Giporlos, Arteche, Gen. Macarthur, all in Eastern Samar; Tagapul-an in Samar.
Molon urged the public to observe the 4 strategy in the fight against dengue fever.
First is the search and destroy, clean all spaces where mosquitos may lay eggs at home and in offices; seek early consultation, if symptoms of the disease reoccurs for the next 2 to 4 days, such as fever, headache, vomiting, diarrhea muscles and joints pain and most especially rashes; third is self-protection by wearing appropriate clothes and use of insect repellant.
Fourth is saying yes to fogging activities when there is clustering of cases.
(LIZBETH ANN A.ABELLA)