The Department of Education (DepEd), particularly its Administration Strand, expressed eagerness to complete the major programs for 2022 before the transition to the next administration.
Providing key support programs to basic education delivery in the last five years, Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del B. Pascua acknowledged the Strand’s milestones and challenged its units to take “urgent actions” to accomplish more.
“We managed to rise above the challenges of the pandemic and provide adequate support to our stakeholders in the grassroots. Let us continue our proactive way of reaching our goals and targets for the benefit of our teachers and learners,” Pascua said during the OUA Strand Mancom Assessment 2016-2021 and 2022 Planning in Clark, Pampanga.
The Administration Strand, led by Pascua, oversees the agency’s initiatives such as DepEd TV, DepEd Commons, School Building Program, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, provision of Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Service, Youth Formation activities, and “Oplan Kalusugan (OK) sa DepEd,” among others.
The Strand is composed of the Administrative Service (AS), Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS), Bureau of Learner Support Services (BLSS), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), Procurement Management Service (ProcMS), Baguio Teachers Camp (BTC), and Central Security and Safety Office (CSSO).
During the three-day assessment and planning workshop, each unit reported their five-year performance and comparative annual performance funds, obligations, utilizations, and targets from July 2016 until January 2022.
“As we reflect on our journey, we should always look back on things we can still improve on to better serve the public,” Pascua noted as he commented on program planning, development, and implementation of the units.
Meanwhile, the directions for 2023-2025 with a focus on urgent reforms and policies were also presented to guide the next administration in ensuring a smooth transition of reforms and programs of the DepEd.
The Strand is set to submit its term report to the Office of the Secretary by end of this month.