DepEd launches Balik-Eskwela 2019

Photo: Department of Education

The Department of Education (DepEd) and other members of the Oplan Balik-Eskwela Inter-Agency Task Force on Monday launched the program that attends to issues related to the opening of classes.

The new school year officially starts next week.

“Ang konsepto natin dito ay ang edukasyon ay hindi lamang responsibilidad ng Department of Education. Lahat ng ating government agencies, including the private sector, ay nagtutulungan para sa paghahanda sa pagbabalik-eskwela ng ating mga bata,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said of the task force at a press conference.

Among the school opening preparations discussed were the deployment of 150,000 cops nationwide for security purposes; the continuous price monitoring of school supplies to protect consumers; and the repainting of pedestrian markings and de-clogging of drainages near schools.

The launch was attended by the other members of the task force, including the Department of Energy; the Department of the Interior and Local Government; the Department of Health; the Department of Public Works and Highways; the Department of Social Welfare and Development; the Department of Trade and Industry; the Department of Transportation; and the Philippine National Police.

A Public Assistance Command Center (PACC) was also opened at the DepEd central office to accommodate queries and complaints regarding the upcoming opening of classes.

The public may contact these hotlines from May 27 to June 7, 2019:

• 636-1663
• 635-9817
• 638-7530
• 633-1942
• 638-8641
• 638-7529
• 634-0222

 — Dona Magsino/BM, GMA News