DepEd implements guidelines on the alternative work arrangements in light of the COVID19
By ANA MARIE P. DULTRA
Obrero Elementary School
Central Butuan District II
The Department of Education (DepEd) has implemented guidelines for the work arrangements based on the Memorandum issued by the Office of the President through Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea citing Joint Resolution Nos. 11 and 12 (s. 2020) of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF).
In its implementation of the measures, DepEd shall be guided by the following framework:
a. Observance of stringent social distancing measures by all DepEd offices, units, and schools located within NCR (including Region IV-B MIMAROPA Regional Office Proper). The social distancing measures are for the protection of each official, teaching and non-teaching personnel of DepEd, the immediate community and the country, and for the achievement of public health objectives such as the mitigation of the scale and speed of community transmission of COVID-19, as well as the conservation of the adequacy of the country’s health system and infrastructure to deal with the situation;
b. Continuity of delivery of DepEd essential services and priority programs while observing stringent social distancing measures in work-related functions and responsibilities; and
c. Consistency of the actions of each official, teaching and non-teaching personnel in the context of work and private activities, to ensure that the public health objectives are achieved and not compromised by inconsistent actions and behavior of individuals.
Consistent with the above framework, all Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, and Regional Directors in Regional Offices NCR and IVB are directed to identify the essential and priority deliverables covering all offices and units located within NCR aunder their supervision for the period of March 16 to April 14, 2020.
They are also directed to determine the Alternative Work Arrangement that will maximize social distancing for all officials and personnel, while ensuring delivery of essential and priority deliverables, and taking into consideration factors such as but not limited to exigency of the service, availability of manpower, specific health risks of personnel, and their available transportation arrangements.
Alternative Work Arrangements shall be applicable to all personnel, including those hired under Job Order and Contract of Service.
Head of offices shall be given the discretion in the determination of the alternative work arrangement that is applicable for each functional office, guided by the following parameters: Office operations of eight hours a day from Monday to Friday of each week shall be maintained for continued delivery of quality services to the public, internal clients, and other stakeholders.
In areas outside NCR where community quarantine based on guidelines by the IATF or the DOH has been imposed by the appropriate authorities, the framework and directives shall also be applied.
The DepEd Task Force COVID-19 is also directed to issue the uniform and minimum standards or social distancing within the workplace, during travel, and in private premises and activities. ###
