November 16, 2020 – The entire DepEd family is one with the nation in the bayanihan efforts for our dear fellow Filipinos who have been battered by recent calamities. In a span of days, areas in Bicol, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, and Cagayan Valley experienced tragic loss of peoples lives and their livelihood.

Within the Department, voluntary contributions from officials and staff from the Central Office, regional and division offices have been pouring in to help our fellow Filipinos recover from these calamities and subsequently sent directly to the most affected schools.

I have directed all field offices, through their respective regional directors, to submit lists of teachers and personnel who were severely affected by the recent typhoons and flooding. These lists will be utilized to fully assist our people in need during these times.

We are also committed to expedite the process of benefits for our staff and will facilitate smoother coordination with corresponding agencies. Recently, we are making headway in helping our personnel in getting the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and other private lending institutions’ calamity loan. The Department will also provide provident fund emergency loans to the teaching and non-teaching personnel who were affected by the recent typhoons. We are also about to release the year-end bonus equivalent to one-month salary and Php 5,000.00 cash gift for our personnel.

On the learning materials side, we will release additional funding for the reproduction or replacement of damaged self-learning modules (SLMs). In addition, funds have been downloaded to provide hygiene kits and conduct clean-up drive and psychosocial first aid to affected schools. We also engaged our external partners to deliver donations directly to schools.

Education has truly taken a hit from these calamities. And if we are here to revive it, our priority will be our passionate educators and learners.

We shall overcome.

 

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