President Rodrigo Duterte has rejected the proposal of the Department of Education (DepEd) to hold face-to-face classes in areas where coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) risks are low, saying he cannot gamble on the health of children.

During a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Duterte told Education Secretary Leonor Briones that he cannot allow classes to resume unless everyone is vaccinated.

'Dito sa face to face [classes], I think I am not inclined to agree with you. I am sorry but mahirap (On face-to-face [classes]. I think I am not inclined to agree with you. I'm sorry but this is hard),' he said.

'I cannot gamble on the health of the children. I hope you understand,' Duterte added.

It was the third time Duterte rejected the DepEd's proposal for the conduct of face-to-face classes.

Briones told the President that she understood and accepted his decision.

'What the executive decides, we support and we cooperate, especially on a professional matter such as this. So we are withdrawing our request in light of your decision and we fully accept your decision,' she said .