MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) officially reactivated “Oplan Balik Eskwela” (OBE) on Monday to ensure the smooth opening of school year 2019-2020.
The education department, through OBE, activates emergency hotlines and help desks to respond to needs and queries pertaining to the resumption of classes on June 3.
A Public Assistance Command Center (PACC) at the Bulwagan Ng Karunungan inside the DepEd Complex opened Monday to attend to and address problems and queries of the public regarding the opening of the school year.
The PACC hotline numbers are : 636-1663, 635-9817, 638-7530, 633-1942, 638-8641, 638-7529 and 634-0222.
The PACC at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan inside the DepEd Complex is ready to address and attend to concerns regarding the resumption of classes on June 3. The PACC, which will be open until June 7, will also serve as the information and complaints processing zone for the duration of OBE. Photo by Krissy Aguilar / INQUIRER.net
This year’s OBE Inter-Agency Task Force (ITF) is made up of the Department of Energy (DOE), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Health (DOH), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Manila Electric Company (Meralco), Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones on Monday said that the IATF is proof that education is not an exclusive mandate of the DepEd as it likewise requires the participation of other government agencies.
“Dito makikita natin na ang edukasyon ay hindi lamang mandato ng Department of Education o related education institutions. Ang buong bansa ay involved,” Briones said at the launch of OBE at the DepEd central office in Pasig City.
“Halos lahat ng major social development agencies government plus Department of Public Works and Highways, lahat sila nagkakaisa para maging maayos itong ating pagbabalik ng ating mga learners,” she added. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)