DepEd highly recommends work from home, discourages physical reporting

The Department of Education (DepEd) thru the Offices of Undersecretary Jesus L.R. Mateo and Undersecretary Revsee E. Escobedo issued Memorandum DM-PHRODFO-2020-00198 titled Clarifications on DepEd Order No. 011, s. 2020 or Revised Guidelines on Alternative Work Arrangements in the Department of Education During the Period of State of National Emergency due to COVID-19 Pandemic dated June 22, 2020.

The memorandum sates that physical reporting to the workplace/onsite, including the conduct of physical enrolment in schools and/or other similar activities per DO 008 s.2020 shall be highly discouraged, even in low-risk areas, unless otherwise highly necessary (that is, only in the event that parents/guardians have no other means of submitting learner’s enrolment data through remote platforms). Schools Division Offices (SDOs) and schools/CLCs are urged to exhaust all possible means to conduct remote enrolment. Any form of physical enrolment shall be done in proper coordination with the local government units (LGUs) concerned, and in strict compliance with minimum public health and safety standards and stringent physical distancing protocols.

The memorandum also highlights the following Alternative Work Arrangement in the Department of Education:

• A Work from Home (WFH) arrangement is still highly recommended for both teaching and non-teaching personnel, especially for functions that can be rendered through alternative strategies and remote modalities.
• DO No. 011 s. 2020 provides a menu of AWA options and guidance to schools/offices/CLCs and personnel on the work arrangement that is most applicable to them.
• Optimal or full operational capacity does not necessarily correspond to the full workforce physically reporting to the workplace/onsite.
• In exceptional cases, offices/schools/CLCs requiring physical reporting must ensure that the workplace is compliant with the Safe Return to Work protocols. 5. Physical reporting to the workplace/onsite, including the conduct of physical enrolment in schools and/or other similar activities per DO 008 s. 2020 shall be highly discouraged, even in low-risk areas.
• For schools that were used as quarantine or isolation facilities, physical reporting shall be prohibited until such time that a certification from the proper health authorities is issued declaring the school as safe and fit for education purposes
• The health and safety conditions and travel/border limitations of personnel shall be the utmost consideration in determining the applicable AWA per individual: a. 21 years old and below; b. 60 years old and above; c. Pregnant women, those with immunodeficiency, comorbidities or other health risks, illnesses and/or pre- existing medical conditions including those who reside with Suspect or Probable Case; and d. Personnel who encounter difficulty reporting due to the imposition of strict community quarantine, curfew, limited or no access to transportation options, and/or other regulatory limitations on travel.

Copy of the Memorandum DM-PHRODFO-2020-00198 titled Clarifications on DepEd Order No. 011, s. 2020 or Revised Guidelines on Alternative Work Arrangements  can be downloaded here: http://deped.in/ClarificationsOnDO11