‘The Office of the Vice President (OVP) has presented the letter between them and the Department of Education after Secretary Leonor Briones denied their involvement with the learning hubs issue.

Signed by Briones on August 23 this year, the letter was a response to some suggestions and feedback for the OVP’s proposal on safe learning continuity plan.

“The setting-up of internet hubs in schools and communities is a good initiative, and we will be happy to receive further details from your office how you envision this to happen, so we may be able to evaluate the feasibility of implementing such a program at scale,” the document read.

In contrast to the letter of response, Briones recently dismissed her participation in the project, and noted that DepEd is still following the order of the government to temporarily ban face-to-face classes.

“On record, walang ganun klaseng kasunduan, walang ganun klaseng approval at nananatili pa rin ang policy ng ating Presidente na walang face-to-face sessions ang mga bata samantalang wala pa tayong vaccine at yan ay still enforced at sinusunod ng DepEd yan,” she said during a press briefing with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

While DepEd described it as a “good initiative”, she clarified that their office has yet to issue a formal approval.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the education sector has turned to distance learning, which brought about a lot of struggles to the less privileged educators and learners. This prompted them to call for an academic freeze. DepEd has yet to give in to the appeals of the public.