MABALACAT, Pamp. — Parents of students in public and private schools here have lauded the decision of Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales to suspend classes for weeks at the start of the schoolyear as a precautionary measure against Influenza A (H1N1) and the dreaded dengue diseases.
In interviews with Punto!, parents of elementary students in Barangay San Joaquin said Morales had “applied best the saying an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” securing the health of their children.
“Morales sees and anticipates things we don’t see in others. That’s using common sense and experience to the hilt,” said Aida Samson. She added that Morales had been vindicated when the A (H1N1) virus affected students in Metro Manila and other schools in Central Luzon forcing the suspension of classes earlier this week.
Jeffrey Bangsil of Barangay Dau said Morales “had hit the mark” in suspending classes as the A (H1N1) virus commonly attacks in public places. He added that his decision to suspend classes on June 7 until June 15 “greatly alleviated the fears of the worried parents.”
Morales said he had issued the memorandum covering public and private schools as a precautionary measure against the dengue and the swine flu virus. The A (H1N1) reportedly killed about 140 people world-wide and affected at least 73 countries.
“We have to clean the classrooms more,” said Morales. He added that he had suspended the classes until June 15 because the incubation period of A (H1N1) is about one week to ten days.
“If a student spent his vacation outside of our town he or she could be back by June 1 or a few days after that. If someone got affected by A (H1N1), then we should keep them out of school for more than a week,” said Morales in explaining the length of the suspension of classes.
Morales appealed to parents and school officials to help the municipal government in providing relevant information to combat the two deadly diseases. He added that he will visit schools beginning June 15 to inspect the cleanliness and information campaign against the viruses.
In interviews with Punto!, parents of elementary students in Barangay San Joaquin said Morales had “applied best the saying an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure” securing the health of their children.
“Morales sees and anticipates things we don’t see in others. That’s using common sense and experience to the hilt,” said Aida Samson. She added that Morales had been vindicated when the A (H1N1) virus affected students in Metro Manila and other schools in Central Luzon forcing the suspension of classes earlier this week.
Jeffrey Bangsil of Barangay Dau said Morales “had hit the mark” in suspending classes as the A (H1N1) virus commonly attacks in public places. He added that his decision to suspend classes on June 7 until June 15 “greatly alleviated the fears of the worried parents.”
Morales said he had issued the memorandum covering public and private schools as a precautionary measure against the dengue and the swine flu virus. The A (H1N1) reportedly killed about 140 people world-wide and affected at least 73 countries.
“We have to clean the classrooms more,” said Morales. He added that he had suspended the classes until June 15 because the incubation period of A (H1N1) is about one week to ten days.
“If a student spent his vacation outside of our town he or she could be back by June 1 or a few days after that. If someone got affected by A (H1N1), then we should keep them out of school for more than a week,” said Morales in explaining the length of the suspension of classes.
Morales appealed to parents and school officials to help the municipal government in providing relevant information to combat the two deadly diseases. He added that he will visit schools beginning June 15 to inspect the cleanliness and information campaign against the viruses.
