To help its employees who need assistance, the Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office has set up a simple community pantry inside its complex in Pasig City.
DepEd on Friday, July 2, said that the community pantry was set up as part of its 123rd founding anniversary in June. “As we celebrate our anniversary, we want to relive the spirit of Bayanihan with our personnel and stakeholders,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.
This year, DepEd’s founding anniversary theme is anchored on “Bayanihan para sa Edukasyon” which recognizes the assistance and support of teaching and non-teaching personnel, parents, stakeholders, partners, and the community in continuing the education amidst the pandemic, imparting education as a shared responsibility.
“It is wonderful to see that the entire Department is helping each other, ensuring that everyone is healthy and safe in these trying times,” she added.
The community pantry was made possible though the cooperation between the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS) and Bureau of Human Resources and Organizational Development-Employee Welfare Division (BHROD-EWD).
DRRMS provided vegetables, grocery staples, and other food packs for personnel in the simple pantry set-up in front of the Rizal Hall at the Central Office with the help of Administrative Service. The organizers ensured that minimum and required health protocols were observed during the activity.
“We are encouraging our field offices to join us in highlighting the spirit of Bayanihan by continuously helping our colleagues and assisting our community,” Briones said.
In April, various community pantries popped up nationwide organized by learners, teachers, and DepEd personnel.
Some of these pantries provided reading and learning materials to help learners amidst the pandemic.
Meanwhile, DRRMS Director Ronilda Co explained that the Community Pantry is “one of our ways to help our employees during this pandemic. We want to show them the spirit of Bayanihan and that our DepEd family is ready when they need our help.”
Aside from the pantry initiative, the DRRMS has also been in the forefront of the DepEd's mental health programs and activities.