As it prepares to welcome back the students to schools next week, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte recognized the efforts and initiatives of its partners and other education stakeholders to help ensure the opening of classes for School Year (SY) 2022-2023.
“We are still living in an extraordinary time but the dedication, commitment and hard work demonstrated by everyone leading to the opening of our schools on Aug. 22 is not only equally extraordinary but also inspiring --- showing how important it is for us that our children are equipped with the right knowledge and skill set,” said Duterte as DepEd launched its “Oplan Balik Eskwela” for 2022 this week.
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Duterte also commended the teaching and non-teaching personnel of DepEd, the parents, and all of our partners nationwide for their participation in the OB 2022 and the launch of the Public Assistance Command Centers (PACC) and the OBE-Inter Agency Task Force (OBE-IATF).
She also expressed gratitude for the “enormous amount” of support DepEd is receiving from various national government agencies, local government agencies, local government units, and other partners.
“Our common goal of to provide Filipino learners quality, equitable, culture-based and complete basic education,” she said.
“With our collaboration and through our guidance, I hope that our learners grow up to become well-rounded and competitive individuals --- able to reach their full potential and become productive citizens of the Philippines,” Duterte said. “We are here to make this happen,” she added.
Earlier this week, DepEd gathered 17 partner agencies for the OBE 2022 launch and presented updates, assistance, and preparations for the upcoming opening of SY 2022-2023 on Aug. 22.
With the theme, “Kapit-bisig para sa ligtas na balik-aral,” OBE 2022 is spearheaded by DepEd with the support from DOE, DILG, DOH, DND, DPWH, DSWD, DTI, DOTr, DICT, MERALCO, MWSS, MMDA, PAGASA, PNP, NDRRMC, NTC, and OPS, which compose the OBE Inter-Agency Convergence.
During the agency presentations, Dr. Alfonso Miguel Regala of the Department of Health (DOH), Health Promotion Bureau, expressed their commitment to providing protection to learners and teachers through vaccination drives and updating routine immunization.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), represented by Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, Chairman of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, expressed that public utility vehicles (PUVs), traffic officers, and free rides to learners shall be available. DOTr earlier stated that their Libreng Sakay program shall continue to serve the learners that will be participating in the in-person classes.
The OBE Public Assistance Command Center (OBE-PACC) was also simultaneously launched during the program. PACC will handle immediate virtual assistance to the public in answering queries, concerns, complaints, and clarifications about the school opening.
Education stakeholders can contact PACC through its hotlines (8638-1663, 8633- 1942, 8638- 7530, 8638- 7531, 8635- 9817, 8634- 0222, 8638- 8641); call and text through 0919-456-0027 for Smart and 0995-921-8461 for Globe; through email at [email protected]; and Facebook messages at DepEd Philippines.