• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) will deploy 1,100 personnel to secure the opening of classes on June 16.
PCol. Rainerio de Chavez, police provincial director, said on Tuesday (June 10) policemen will be deployed in all schools in the 31 component cities and municipalities in the province.
De Chavez met with Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson at the Provincial Capitol to discuss security operations for the school opening.
On June 9, the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Negros Occidental launched the Brigada Eskwela at the Binalbagan National High School in preparation for the opening of classes.
Ian Arnold Arnaez, DepEd Negros Occidental Division spokesman, said they are expecting an additional 1,500 enrollees this school year.
Schools in 19 municipalities and Talisay City are under the supervision of DepEd Negros Occidental while the 12 other cities, including the highly urbanized Bacolod City, have their respective division offices.
Last year, DepEd Negros Occidental recorded 324,000 enrollees.
The enrollment period for school year 2025-2026 started June 9 and will run until 13.
In the case of La Castellana, which is among the local government units affected by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon, learning continuity plans have been formulated to ensure the delivery of basic education to the learners.
Arnaez said they are discussing with the La Castellana municipal government the possibility of vacating some classrooms being occupied by internally displaced persons (IDPs).
While there is no final plan yet for the relocation of some IDPs, Arnaez said they are working on adding temporary learning spaces in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense and other DepEd partners.
Schools with substantial maintenance and other operating expenses can allocate some amount for the construction of temporary learning spaces, not only to accommodate enrolled students, but also learners in the evacuation centers, he added. | GB
