THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) encouraged local officials to assist the Department of Education (DepEd) in ensuring peace and order under the Oplan Balik Eskwela campaign.

“Local execs are expected to work closely with DepEd to ensure that the school opening is as smooth and orderly as possible so that both students and teachers will be inspired to embark on this new learning journey,” DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said.

Año urged the local government officials to deploy force multipliers to augment the efforts of the police particularly near the school gates and along roads leading to learning institutions.

The DILG Secretary also encouraged local executives to convene their Peace and Order Councils, Local Council for the Protection of Children and Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (LDRRMC) in preparation for the opening of the classes.

"Dapat maging mapagbantay ang kapulisan at mga barangay tanod para bantayan at protektahan ang mga istudyante laban sa mga kriminal at mga mapagsamantala,” he said.

"Bukod sa kaalaman na kanilang makukuha, pinakamahalaga pa din ang kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral kaya naman ang pakikipagtulungan ng POC, LCPC, at LDRRMC sa pangunguna ng mga LCE ay lubhang napakahalaga," he added.

The Oplan Balik Eskwela, which runs from May 27 - June 7, 2019, is the DepEd’s annual initiative to engage agencies, organizations and other stakeholders in preparation for the opening of the new school year.

It aims to address problems, queries, and other concerns commonly encountered by the public particularly the parents and students at the start of the school year and ensure that learners are properly enrolled and able to attend school on the first day of classes on June 3.

Año said local chief executives can also assist in providing information and quick response as well as in mobilizing barangays to clean road signages leading to schools and assist DepEd in preparing school facilities ahead of the school opening.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier assured they were ready for the opening of classes and were deploying 120,000 police personnel.

Police will also establish police assistance desks and conduct security patrols in schools and transportation hubs.

PNP spokesperson Colonel Bernard Banac said the PNP will also organize non-government organizations and civilian volunteer organizations to assist in providing security, traffic assistance, and other public safety services in coordination with DepEd and the LGU.

Coordination with school authorities and other agencies for the installation of CCTVs in strategic locations is also a priority of the PNP. (SunStar Philippines)