The opening of classes in Negros Oriental and in Dumaguete City was generally peaceful, even with the first day of implementation of the K to 12 program.

The Dumaguete City police, headed by Supt. Crisaleo Tolentino, deployed 106 policemen to man the streets, especially near university belts and public elementary and high schools in the city.

He added that foot and mobile patrols as well as daily unannounced checkpoints will continue in the coming days as more students are expected to return to Dumaguete with the resumption of classes.

Tolentino said he will also deploy policemen to nightspots and similar areas where students are expected to flock at nighttime and on weekends.

As of press time, the police have not received any report of students being victimized by unscrupulous individuals or getting involved in fights, Tolentino pointed out.

More than 21,700 public elementary and high school students have returned to their schools in Dumaguete, a report from the Philippine Information Agency said. Private schools, meanwhile, are expecting a higher number of enrollees this week.

At the Negros Oriental High School, an increase of 920 new students was reported and 200 more were queuing for enrolment, principal Ernesto Ronald Tenorio said. Some of the new students were transferees from private schools.

He said NOHS has enough teachers to deal with the students, and that they are now improving the school facilities.

Dumaguete City Schools Division superintendent, Ramir Uytico, noted a 90 percent improvement in the management of school heads during the opening of classes compared to last year.

Uytico said he made sure that the first day of classes will not be distracted by late enrollees by designating a classroom for them. The late enrollees are those who did not follow the schedule and did not participate in the Oplan “Balik Eskwela”, he added.*JG/JFP

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