DepEd Issued an Order to Support the Department of Health’s (DOH) Bakunahang Bayan
By LYNDEN G. MERNILO
Master Teacher I
Butuan Central Elementary School
The Department of Education (DepEd) wants to guard against the COVID-19 virus among its high-risk teaching and non-teaching staff.
In accordance with Article II, Section 15 of the Philippine Constitution of 1987, which states that “the State shall preserve and promote the people’s right to health and foster health consciousness among the people,” the Department of Education (DepEd) issued DepEd Order No. 51, series 2022 on November 22, 2022 to support the Department of Health’s (DOH) Bakunahang Bayan, a national program that will take place on December 7, 2022.
According to the directive, the COVID-19 vaccination program is not required and will continue to be an option for all kids and school employees. There shall be no discrimination against anyone who declines a booster shot or elects not to get vaccinated. To ensure that everyone has the chance to make an informed decision, health professionals should also offer continuing counseling and education. Any minors who volunteer to receive vaccinations must have parental or guardian consent. Those minors who wish to receive vaccinations but are unable to secure parental or guardian consent should get in touch with social workers from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.Furthermore, it is ordered that all DepEd teaching and non-teaching personnel, including officials, employees, job order personnel, contracts of service personnel, and support staff, who volunteer to be vaccinated or take booster shots during the Bakunahang Bayan period on December 5 to 7, 2022, be excused from absence on the day of their vaccination or booster, provided that: they present to their respective heads of office a certificate of vaccination or booster;
Additionally, students who volunteer to receive the vaccination during the aforementioned period will not be required to attend class on the day of the vaccination as long as they provide a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination record card or other acceptable proof of vaccination to their respective class adviser or school teacher (which must clearly include the date of vaccination, the name and signature of the administering doctor or health official, and the detail of the vaccination) (which shall clearly indicate the date of vaccination, the name and signature of the administering doctor or health official, and the details of the latest vaccine availed).
To find the remaining unvaccinated or non-boost eligible students, DOH personnel or local municipal or city health officers in each municipality or city should compile reports on the inventory within and among students using the bit.ly/DepEdVaxTemplate. No member of the teaching or non-teaching staff shall be required to construct, encrypt, or keep a record of which kids in their particular schools have received vaccinations and which have not.
The Department of Education’s choice to fully support the DOH’s Bakunahang Bayan would consequently significantly increase the immunization rate of DepEd employees and students and protect them from serious COVID-19 infections. ###
