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| For the pilot face-to-face implementation run starting November 15, 2021, the Department of Education says participating public schools are financially prepared. LOGO: DepEd |
PASIG CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) stated that participating public schools are financially prepared for the pilot face-to-face implementation run, which began on Monday, November 15, 2021.
Annalyn Sevilla, Undersecretary for Finance, reported that the Department has released financial guidelines to field offices in support of the pilot stage's operationalization.
“Nag-issue kami ng guidelines to release the P100,000 to serve as initial funding support to schools with the list we have downloaded last week, the allotment covers P100,000 per school and also included here is the cash equivalent,” Usec. Sevilla noted.
Usec. Sevilla emphasized that the Joint Memorandum Circular between the DepEd and the Department of Health (DOH) requires financial guidance on the issuance's key elements, which include Safe Operations, Teaching and Learning, Inclusion of the Most Marginalized, and Ensuring well-being and protection.
The following issuances support the provision of supplemental funds to meet the financial requirements of specific provisions: (1) DepEd-DOH JMC No. 01, Series of 2021 dated September 27, 2021, particularly Annex A; and (2) DepEd Order No. 14, Series of 2020 dated June 25, 2020, specifically in Annex B.
“Ito po ang naging batayan natin kung ano yung mga financial implications sa mga provisions ng JMC na ito at may mga dapat tayong paghandaan,” Usec. Sevilla added.
Additionally, Sevilla stated that the Department is prepared to make adjustments and provide support in the event that a participating school is forced to close due to a COVID-19 outbreak in their area.
“Hindi naman po talaga sarado ang ating eskwelahan, sapagkat ang ating mga guro, punong guro, at mga kagawad na nagtatrabaho ay pumapasok sa ating mga eskwelahan kaya na-i-ready na natin ang mga schools physically, mentally, and socially,”
“[In fact], we are also preparing for the expanded stage kasi nalalapit 'yan. After ng pilot study I think magiging parallel 'yon, and we continue to prepare financially for the expansion phase this year, as well as next year,” Usec. Sevilla explained.
Meanwhile, Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones expressed optimism for the pilot's success as a result of collaborations among various community stakeholders who committed support.
“Kitang-kita na ang paghahanda ay hindi gawain ng isang tao lamang kundi yung buong DepEd has been involved in this pilot implementation,” Secretary Briones said. —Tacloban News Updated (Source: DepEd/PRESS RELEASE)