The Department of Education (DepEd) has recognized more than 130 external partners for extending “exemplary assistance" to the implementation of its Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP).
Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones led the DepEd, through its External Partnerships Service (EPS) in paying tribute to its 139 external partners during the Virtual Partners' Appreciation program on May 14. She cited "continuous collaboration” of various stakeholders with the agency amid the challenges brought about the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
“We are very grateful for your continued support for never abandoning us, in fact, a number of you increased your level of support at this very difficult time. For we are threatened not only with COVID-19 pandemic but also with the threat of further exacerbating or worsening the challenges that we face in education,” Briones said in her message.
“We thank you for your continued support and your listening ear. Your continued support, your love, your sympathy, has been a source of inspiration to us as we strive to continue, as we strive to respond to the call of the Constitution for quality education for all learners,” she added.
During the event with the theme “Celebrating Partnership Amidst the Pandemic”, the DepEd awarded plaques of appreciation to 139 partner organizations for their unwavering support in basic education especially in the implementation of the BE-LCP.
The Deped, citing the partnership data from the DepEd Partnership Database System (DPDS), said "a total amount of P 21,891,547,312.20 worth of resources was received and reported at the school level nationwide as of December 2020.”
"Of this amount, P7,134,704,779.00 was from Brigada Eskwela (BE) activities, which highlighted partnership initiatives that complement the Department's efforts to ensure that quality education will continue despite the challenges brought by COVID-19 pandemic.”
The DepEd noted that majority of its partners developed and offered partnership projects for education, which are aligned with the BE-LCP. These include their support for the implementation of the BE.
Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service Tonisito M.C. Umali cited the importance of partnerships in education amid the pandemic.
"Dahil po sa inyong lahat, ang ating pangarap na ihanda ang magandang kinabukasan para sa ating mga anak para sa kanilang kinabukasan ay tunay na matutupad at mangyayari. (Because of you, our dream to prepare a better future for our children will truly come true and happen),” he said.
Undersecretary for Planning and Human Resource and Organizational Development Jesus L.R. Mateo also joined the appreciation program to express gratitude to DepEd partners. He discussed DepEd’s direction in creating additional teaching positions.