In support of the government’s vaccination effort, the Department of Education (DepEd) has issued the Comprehensive Guidance on the Participation of DepEd in the Implementation of the Philippine National Deployment and Vaccination Plan (NDVP).
DepEd Memorandum 028 laid out the principles and guidelines to ensure the provision of support for the national government and its employees.
“The vaccination program will help us mitigate the effects of Covid-19. We need our teachers, our parents, and everyone to join us to overcome this pandemic. DepEd, as the government’s largest bureaucracy, is dedicated to help our vaccination teams achieve our targets,” Secretary Leonor Briones said.
Any engagement of DepEd across all governance levels must be aligned with Republic Act 11525 or the Covid-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021, NDVP, and other related issuances.
The Department will also continue undertaking consultations and surveys among stakeholders and consider its results in contextualizing the implementation of the NDVP.
Briones emphasized that DepEd employees must be assured of their protection and safety in the exercise of supporting the vaccination program.
“The safety of our DepEd personnel is our utmost priority, and our policy is that they focus on supporting demand generation and communication activities,” Briones noted.
DepEd reiterated that any other involvement of its personnel in the local vaccination initiatives beyond the scope of their work in the Department, including their participation in vaccination teams, counseling, and psychosocial support efforts, shall be voluntary.
The memo also clarified that DepEd volunteers must be granted proper training, personal protective equipment, sanitation resources, and applicable remuneration or allowances by the National Task Force, through local government units (LGUs).
Dr. Maria Corazon Dumlao, Chief of Bureau of Learner Support Services-School Health Division (BLSS-SHD), said school health and nutrition personnel may take part in local vaccination initiatives and represent the Department in the Vaccination Operations Centers, while teaching personnel can incorporate vaccination promotion in their lessons and volunteer as health educators or documenters.
Voluntary participation of employees must not prejudice work in the Department, and their participation must be approved by their heads of offices through a written endorsement to the LGU.
On the use of schools as vaccination centers, DepEd gives the responsibility to approve or deny requests of LGUs to Regional Directors.
BLSS Director Lope Santos III emphasized they are committed to the fight against the pandemic.
“Here in DepEd, our support is continuous for the NDVP. We can see the big role DepEd will play in this fight, especially because we comprise the largest government bureaucracy so if our help is needed, we will provide it,” Lope said in a news release.
Last May, DepEd launched “Vacc2School: Ligtas na Bakuna para sa Balik-Eskwela” to promote informed decisions on vaccination.
DepEd has been conducting town halls and webinars in field offices aligned with the initiative. Related materials are also integrated into the multimedia platforms of the Department. (PNA)
