The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday, Sept. 6, set up the Oplan Balik Eskwela Public Assistance Command Center (OBE-PACC) nationwide to cater to stakeholders' queries and concerns before the school year officially opens.
"We want to make sure that we will be able to address all enrollment-related issues and queries of the stakeholders for us to assist them and create policies if deemed necessary," DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.
Briones also reminded parents and guardians of learners to enroll their children before Sept. 13 to avoid last-minute inconvenience on their part.
As of Sept. 6, some 17.9 million learners are enrolled for SY 2021-2022.
Queries of parents, learners, and other stakeholders received through hotlines, emails, SMS, and social media will be accommodated by the OBE-PACC at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, Central Office until Sept. 17.
Walk-ins will not be allowed as part of the health protocols enforced to ensure the protection of the health and safety of involved personnel.
"To protect the health of the persons involved, the set-up is strictly limited to concerned personnel only. We will practice stringent health and safety protocols throughout OBE campaign without sacrificing our service to the public," DepEd Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Atty. Nepomuceno Malaluan.
Regional and division command centers are also set up nationwide to assist in disseminating and clarifying DepEd policies, programs, projects, and processes for SY 2021-2022.
Furthermore, OBE-PACC will coordinate with concerned DepEd offices on complex concerns requiring the specific offices' appropriate action.
DepEd Central Office PACC may be contacted through (02) 8636-1663, (02) 8633-1942, (02) 8638-7529, (02) 8638-7530, (02) 8638-7531, (02) 8635-9817, (02) 8634-0222, and (02) 8638-8641; and cellphone hotline numbers at 0919 456 0027 (Smart), and 0995 921 8461 (Globe). For more information regarding the enrollment and opening of classes, the general public may also visit https://www.deped.gov.ph/obe/.
The 2021 OBE is spearheaded by Education Undersecretary Malaluan and Undersecretary Revsee Escobedo as the chair and co-chair, with Public Affairs Service Director June Arvin Gudoy serving as the vice-chair of the campaign.