It is possible that minors may get one (1) more extra curfew-free day once the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory of the province becomes operational.
In a report from the Capitol released on Monday, July 13, 2020, Gov. Arthur Yap says that the youth may be able to go out of their homes, breaking the curfew on Sundays, once the PCR laboratory is able to operate.
The provincial government already procured a containerized PCR laboratory. This is on top of the molecular laboratory located inside the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH).
The two (2) laboratories are expected to be operational by August, if not by the end of this month.
Currently, Bohol minors who are under the age of 18, are only allowed to go out from their homes from 6am to 6pm on Fridays and Saturdays, under the modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
In a related development, the governor is reaching out to potential partners to craft programs for minors who are skipping school this coming academic year 2020-2021. He is seeking a program that will ensure productivity and recreation for minors who are being subjected to curfew in their homes.
Yap asked the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) to design a program in order to maximize the spare time of the minors, who will not be going to school this year, to good use.
It is also in the Capitol’s report that the governor reached out to the leadership of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) to draft a program for the youth who opted not to enroll in school this coming school year.
The Bohol division of the Department of Education said that as of July 2, 2020, only 214,590 learners enrolled this coming school year compared to 285,254 learners who enrolled in school year 2019-2020 in public schools.
In the private schools, the enrollment only reached 16,763 learners which is lower compared to 40,456 learners that enrolled last school year. (with reports from capitol media)