The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique is reviving its “Tubig (hydration) Time” initiative for learners to drink enough water and cushion the effect of the extreme heat.
“The Tubig Time will be implemented every two hours during class time for about five minutes,” DepEd-Antique head of School Governance and Operations Dr. Evelyn Remo said in an interview on Tuesday.
The initiative was first implemented in 2024, also during the El Niño, when learners were provided with adjusted water breaks to ensure that they remain hydrated.
Remo said that schools could allocate a portion of their maintenance and other operating expenses to purchase potable water. Parents are encouraged to have their children bring their drinking water so the supply available in schools will just be for refills.
DepEd Nurse Debbie Rose Tingson said that dehydrated learners may suffer dizziness, sore eyes, rashes, and nosebleeds due to the extreme heat.
Meanwhile, Tingson added that they are also monitoring school canteens to make sure that they adhere to food safety standards and avoid food spoilage. Food could easily get spoiled because of the humidity that creates an ideal condition for bacterial growth.
DepEd-Antique Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Focal Person, Adonis Parcon, advised schools to already reserve water for flushing toilets and other uses. He said that 253 of the 538 public schools in Antique have limited or no water sources.
Antique is forecast to experience a dry spell from November to December and drought early next year. (PNA)
