Changes in education setting

Due to the suspension of face-to-face classes in adherence to health safety protocols, DepEd-10 opted for a modular and online approach in which she admitted has made some parents apprehensive especially in far-flung areas.

“I think the reason why we haven’t reached 100 percent is because we also respect the decision of the parents that are apprehensive or have challenges in getting modules, we acknowledge that our students here in the Philippines are really used to face to face classes,” Razon added.

Acknowledging that the confinement may have perhaps created an impact in children’s social development, DepEd-10 has also provided mental health support through the provision of psychosocial activities such as online webinars for parents, teachers, and learners in addition to their modules and other activities related to education to help children adapt to the new learning landscape.

“Here in the region, the fact that we are at 93 percent in our enrollment would affirm that it’s not only the DepEd-10 but also our parents and guardians who see the importance of education for our children. They are one with us in believing that education must continue amid this pandemic,” she said. 

Espousing children's rights

For DSWD-10’s part, SWAD Team Leader and Children Focal Cristituta Omoyon-Eurese and Early Childhood Care and Development Focal Marylou Aniñon said in light of Children's Month, their department is focusing on children's "Right of Survival and Development" due to the economic uncertainty caused by COVID-19, especially for parents who have lost their jobs.

“Amidst the pandemic, we are trying to protect the children in any form of violence, so considering our children now are always in their homes and have restricted movement, it’s making them more vulnerable to violence and exploitation, it’s not just DSWD but also other inter-agencies are also looking into that,” Aniñon said.

In addition to coordinated efforts with other line agencies, DSWD-10 also has partnerships with the local government units (LGUs) in their Regional Juvenile Justice Welfare Committee to aid children in conflict with the law and survivors to enact proper intervention and rehabilitation.

Eurese also said alongside different agencies of the government, they are continuing rescue operations from human trafficking and online sexual exploitation cases as a significant initiative to the imposed lockdowns and stay-at-home protocols brought by the pandemic.

Furthermore, they are also aiding households in recognizing and preventing online sexual exploitation especially in the age of digitalization amid the new normal aside from handling human trafficking and domestic abuse interventions.

"Have an open communication with your children and know the signs, think before you click and educate yourselves, there are a lot of pedophiles and predators online," Eurese says.

Emphasizing communication as a key factor when it comes to protecting children in the digital age, she also encourages parents to have a proper conversation with their children to the social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid disconnection and lessen anxiety with their children.