Exactly one week before the start of classes in public schools, the Ministry of Education (DepEd) joined forces with various government agencies and private sector organizations for the nationwide launch of the “Oplan Balik Eskwela” (OBE) 2022.
“With the launch of the OBE despite the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges that have come our way, we are confident and affirm that our success here will only be replicated in our future endeavours,” said the DepEd Undersecretary for Governance and Field Operations. Revsee Escobedo at the launch of the OBE 2022 on Monday, August 15.
The national launch of OBE 2022 brought together 17 agencies who will play a critical role in providing guidance on health and safety, peace and order, and transportation, among others at the start of the school year.
Escobedo said the command conference between DepEd officials, public and private sector partner agencies and other stakeholders is intended to “ensure the readiness of the university community” when classes for the academic year (SY) 2022-2023 will start on August 22.
The OBE is an annual DepEd initiative to engage agencies, organizations and other stakeholders in preparation for the opening of the school year. It will take place from August 15 to 26, 2022.
Escobedo explained that the OBE is part of DepEd’s efforts to ensure that learners in public and private schools are “properly registered” and that it aims to address issues, questions and other concerns commonly encountered by the public in the start of the school year.
With the theme “Kapit-Bisig Para sa Mas Ligtas na Balik-Aral,” Escobedo said OBE 2022 will highlight convergence as partner agencies become members of the OBE inter-agency working group.
Members of said task force will focus on their respective preparations and initiatives for the gradual transition of schools to five-day in-person classes from November 2.
Representatives from the Department of Energy (DOE); Department of Home Affairs and Local Government (DILG); Department of Health (DOH); Department of National Defense (DND); Department of Public Works and Roads (DPWH); Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); Department of Trade and Industry (DTI); Department of Transportation (DOTr); Department of Information and Communication Technologies (DICT); Manila Electric Company (MERALCO); Metropolitan Water and Sewer System (MWSS); Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA); Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA); Philippine National Police (PNP); National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC); National Telecommunications Commission (NTC); and the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) presented their initiatives related to the opening of the school and reiterated their commitment to help DepEd ensure the safe resumption of in-person classes.
In his presentation, Dr. Alfonso Miguel Regala of the Department of Health (DOH) Office of Health Promotion provided an update on immunization facilitation and the need to ensure school safety through the practice. continues minimum sanitary standards.
Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil assured the DOTr is very supportive of schools opening – noting that 130 routes have been recommended for retention or modification.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), on the other hand, said that 2,238 MMDA staff will be deployed for the opening of the school. A total of 581 traffic officers will also be dispatched to 146 schools.
Deputy Assistant Secretary and Chief of Staff Epimaco Densing III thanked the partner agencies for their cooperation and participation in OBE 2022.
“Gusto natin ng kaayusan sa hamon na gusto nating tahakin dahil malawakang pagbubukas na ito ng klase – maging pribado o pampubliko (We want to put things in order in this challenge that we want to take on because it is a massive opening of classes – whether private or public),” he added.
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DepEd to launch 2022 ‘Oplan Balik Eskwela’ to bolster school opening preparations
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