The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is offering a psychosocial support program for its employees’ mental health and psychosocial well-being during the national health emergency.
In a statement on Monday, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar assured that the employees from DPWH Central Office, regional, and district engineering offices will be offered support mechanisms through the department’s supervisors.
In a memorandum issued by Undersecretary for Support Services Ardeliza Medenilla, the “We COPE As One” support mechanism aims to assist employees on their concerns, worries, and fears brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
DPWH said that the program allows the employees to choose to have a dialogue with their corresponding supervisors via work from home arrangement agreement or face-to-face interaction.
The department added that this can be done either individually or as a team depending on the employees’ preference.
Medenilla said that all concerns shall be kept strictly confidential and added that employees’ desire not to undergo said interventions will be respected.
Secretary Villar initiated the “We COPE As One” program in accordance with Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 10, s. 2020 entitled “Revised Interim Guidelines for Alternative Work Arrangements and Support Mechanisms for Workers in the Government During the Period of State of National Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic” issued in May 2020.