November 10, 2021— In preparation for the upcoming May 2022 National and local elections, and as required by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Department of Education (DepEd), through the Learning Management System (LMS), has received 65% personnel applications for the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) digital signatures.

As of October 29, over 658,000 personnel and teachers have submitted their applications. Out of these, 83% have already been validated by HR Units for submission to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones extended her gratitude to DICT for helping fast track the PNPKI application.

“Data security is a priority especially during elections, and with majority of our personnel and teachers having secured their digital signatures through PNPKI, we are equipping them well and getting ready for their tasks as members of the Electoral Board,” Secretary Briones said.

The PNPKI digital signature is a new requirement by Comelec for all public school teachers who will serve as Electoral Board Members. Available to all government employees, agencies, and private individuals, the PNPKI is a virtual key that lets its users encrypt or conceal data into a code and embed important transactions like email exchange in order to protect it from hackers.  The PNPKI fosters trust in government agencies as it promises secure transactions with the public.

Region 7 leads the application with 89% applications, followed by CALABARZON with 84% submitted personnel applications, Region 1, and Region 5.

For Schools Division Offices, SDO Tanjay City in Region VII ranks first among all Division Offices with the most number of validated applications at 109.81% followed by Lipa City of Region IV-A with both 106.95%.

In partnership with DICT, DepEd was able to fast-track the registration of teachers and personnel with the DepEd LMS as the online platform. It allowed the Department to file applications for the digital certificates in bulk and for the DICT to waive the submission of requirements.

To register and for more information, proceed to http://bit.ly/Deped-PNPKI and fill out the application form for the PNPKI certification.

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