PASIG CITY, August 12, 2022 – The Department of Education (DepEd), in partnership with various agencies of the National Government, will reinforce the agency’s comprehensive preparation for the upcoming school year through the launch of the 2022 Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) on Monday next week.

“Gusto lamang po naming i-anunsiyo na sa August 15, 2022, ilulunsad na po natin ‘yong ating Oplan Balik Eskwela Command Center. Dito po gaganapin ‘yan sa Bulwagan [ng Karunungan] kung saan nandoon po ‘yong iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno na tutulong sa atin [sa paghahanda natin for school opening],” DepEd Spokesperson Atty. Michael Poa said.

The Department has secured the commitment of 17 partner agencies to ensure that health, peace and order, safety, transportation, communication, and essential services will be provided to the teachers and learners throughout the School Year 2022-2023.

Last July 29, DepEd convened with the members of the OBE Inter-Agency Convergence, including DOH, DSWD, DND, PNP, DPWH, PAGASA, NDRRMC, DOTr, MMDA, DILG, OPS, NTC, DOE, DICT, DTI, MERALCO, and MWSS to discuss the possible assistance that they could give to the schools for the school opening.

Furthermore, the agency will also formally start the operations of the Public Assistance Command Center (PACC) in the Central Office, which would cater to concerns, complaints, and requests of education stakeholders related to enrollment and other school opening preparations.

PACC is also tasked with disseminating and clarifying DepEd policies, programs, projects, and processes, particularly those relevant to the opening of classes, and correctly identifying and coordinating concerns with the concerned office for appropriate actions.

The Department Memorandum No. 63, series of 2022, also noted that regional and schools division office should set up their command center through their Public Affairs Unit.

Teachers, learners, and parents can course through their concerns via Hotlines, Emails, Text Messaging Service, Social Media, and Letters and Endorsements for appropriate actions.

“Alam po natin that the opening of classes will not be without challenges. That is why we are hoping na magtulong-tulong po tayo dito, kasama ng iba’t ibang ahensiya ng gobyerno,” Atty. Poa noted.

This year’s OBE will be spearheaded by Undersecretary and Chief of Staff Epimaco Densing III and Undersecretary for Governance and Field Operations Atty. Revsee Escobedo as co-chairs, and Public Affairs Service Director Atty. Poa as vice-chair.

As of August 12, 2022 (07:00 AM), the DepEd has recorded 19,819,047 enrollees for the school year 2022-2023, which is 71.91% of last year’s enrollment data.

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