2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines 17 26 The CHR commends all city governments that provided gadgets, internet access, and other needs for blended learning, especially for those who are in need. These supports, according to the statement, are important in securing the right to education during the pandemic. It alleviated some of the burdens of students, parents, and teachers, as students continue their education during these trying times. The CHR hopes that more local and city governments — with the aid of the DepEd and the national government — will provide the needed support, especially to the underprivileged ones to ensure equal access to education and make sure that no students are left behind.63 27 To supplement holistic education, the CHR is utilizing social media to draw attention to key human rights issues and concerns. It published social media cards with topics such as freedom of expression, access to information, quarantine, lockdowns, travel bans, women’s rights, rights of persons deprived of liberty, health workers’ rights, and the right to education.64 28 Regional Offices also conducted the Online Kabataan Karapatan Caravan, the flagship advocacy program of CHR for children and youth in the school setting. The Caravan aims to educate students of their rights under the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and domestic child protection laws, and their responsibilities, as children, to their families, school, community and the society, as a whole. It also serves as a venue for children to discuss among themselves concerns and issues affecting their enjoyment of rights, and be informed of the role of CHR in protecting these rights. 29 Another positive development in the education sector is the enactment of RA 11476, which institutionalized the Good Manners and Right Conduct and Values Education in the K to 12 Curriculum. This statute institutionalized a subject for basic education to teach students the basic tenets of the observance of respect for oneself, others, and elders, intercultural diversity, gender equality, ecology, and integrity of creation, peace and justice, obedience to the law, nationalism, and global citizenship.65 30 To provide clear guidance to all offices, units, schools, and community learning centers (CLCs) of the Department, and to the learners, their parents, and other stakeholders on how to respond to the challenges brought about by COVID 19, DepEd adopted the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) for School Year 2020-2021 in June 2020.66 31 The BE-LCP67 provides learning delivery strategies and operational directions that aims to protect the health, safety and well-being of all learners, teachers and school personnel. It also offers multiple learning delivery modalities such as blended learning, distance learning, and homeschooling, either on top or in place of the face-to-face learning modality in order to personalized learning opportunities among children shall continue to be provided in School Year (SY) 2020-2021. 32 However, under BE-LCP, face-to-face classes are not yet allowed. Learning opportunities are to be provided through blended distance learning modalities until such time that the 63 See http://chr.gov.ph/statement-of-chr-spokesperson-atty-jacqueline-de-guia-commending-city-governments-that – provide-gadgets-internet-and-other-provisions-for-blended-learning/. 64 See https://www.asiapacificforum.net/news/advocating-human-rights-amid-COVID-19/. 65 See https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2020/06jun/20200625-RA-NO-11476-RRD.pdf 66 Department of Education, Department Order No. 12, s. 2020, Adoption of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan for School Year 2020-2021 in the Light of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, 19 June 2020, available at https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DO_s2020_012.pdf 67 Department of Education, Department Order No. 12, s. 2020, Adoption of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan for School Year 2020-2021 in the Light of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, 19 June 2020, available at https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/DO_s2020_012.pdf