The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has approved its recommendation to move the opening of School Year 2020-2021 from August 24 to October 5 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a virtual press conference, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said they submitted the recommendation to Duterte last August 6 after Metro Manila, Cavite, Bulacan, Laguna and Rizal were reverted to modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

“As per the memorandum of the president, he has given approval to the recommendation of DepEd. Thus, we will now implement such a decision to defer the school opening to October 5 pursuant to Republic Act No. 11480,” Briones said, reading from a prepared statement