The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday said that the start of classes in public schools will push through on June 1 despite a shortage in classrooms and teachers.

The DepEd currently has a shortage of 9,000 to 10,000 classroom and teachers for the opening of classes, according to Education Secretary Jesli Lapus.

Lapus said this is due to rising population, increase in participation in the public school system, and damage due to typhoons.

Despite these, the DepEd said it's all systems go for the opening of classes. Around 19 million students are expected to flock to public schools and another 3 million to private schools.

The DepEd has ordered all schools to provide soap and water for handwashing as a preventive measure against the flu, particularly the feared A(H1N1) flu.

Still on hygiene in schools, Lapus said the department has set aside P1 billion for the construction of toilets in public schools.

Meanwhile, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services and Administration (PAGASA) spokesperson Nathaniel Cruz said that beginning this year, they will advise the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) as early as a day before, what the weather will be like the following day.

This system will be put in place to avoid confusion regarding the suspension of classes.

The DepEd and Pagasa also reminded schools that when public storm warning signal number 1 is raised, preschool classes are automatically cancelled; when signal number 2 is raised, classes are suspended for both elementary and high school; and for signal number 3, classes in all levels are suspended.

NCR Police Office (NCRP) Deputy Regional Director Chief Supt. Jose Arne Delos Santos has also declared that the PNP is already on heightened alert for the opening of classes.

They will be deploying 11,000 policemen on June 1 for Metro Manila alone.

'Oplan' meeting

The DepEd on Wednesday also met with different government agencies and major utility companies as part of the preparations for the school year opening under Oplan Balik Eskwela.

The meeting, headed by Lapus, was attended by member-agencies of the Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) Task Force at the DepEd Central Office, Pasig City.

"The support of our partner agencies is critical to the success of this year's Oplan Balik Eskwela," Lapus said. "This meeting enables us to coordinate well with our convergence partners to guarantee the smooth opening of classes on June 1."

Task force members include the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Department of National Defense (DND), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), PAGASA, and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Manila Water, and Maynilad Water were also tapped to participate in this inter-agency effort. With a report from Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News