• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Noting the rise of cases with flu-like symptoms in public schools, Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson yesterday renewed calls for Negrenses to wear face masks.
“The wearing of face masks is something we learned during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Lacson, as he pointed out that face masks “will not only protect us from COVID-19 but from other viruses.”
The Department of Education Negros Occidental has started requiring their students and staff to wear face masks.
Ian Arnold Arnaiz, public information officer of DepEd Negros Occidental, confirmed that Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) in Bacolod City has started requiring their students and staff to wear face masks after school management noted an increase in flu-like symptoms among students.
NOHS is considered the biggest public high school in Negros Occidental
Arnaiz said the policy was recommended by its medical team to protect its students from any communicable diseases.
Private schools STI West Negros University and University of Negros Occidental Recoletos, both in Bacolod City, as well as the Efigenio Enrica Lizares Memorial School in Talisay City, have also required their students to wear face masks, especially those with cough.
Students who don’t feel well are immediately sent home so that they can’t infect other students on campus.
Lacson said he supports the decision of some schools in Negros Occidental to require their students and staff to wear face masks, stressing that it is within the discretion of school management.
“It will be the problem of the school if it spreads among their students,” Lacson further said, as he reiterated his call on the public to wear face masks, especially in public transportation and enclosed areas.*
