By Villamor Visaya Jr., Philippine News Agency Stringer and Philippine Daily Inquirer Correspondent

CITY OF SANTIAGO, Isabela — Education officials have suspended the holding of in-person classes in two elementary schools, which were scheduled to start on Monday, January 10, due to the imposition of Alert Level 3 to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the city.

Dr. Jonathan Fronda, assistant schools division superintendent in Santiago City, announced that the simulation for limited in-person classes was held on January 3 at San Jose Integrated School and Santa Rosa Elementary School but they have to shelve the formal opening due to the inter-agency task force order.

The students were then given bags and personal protective gear while observing health protocols and social distancing from their houses to the school-designated triage area before entering their classrooms.

About 100 students each school were chosen to supposedly attend the in-person classes if not for the suspension.

In the meantime, the students will avail themselves of blended and modular learning in their studies.#