Department of Education(DepEd)

Dear Sir/Madam, Good day! The Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act (RA 10821) was enacted in May 2016 and the Department of Education is one of the identified agencies tasked to implement the law. For this reason, may I request a copy of DepEd's policy directives (circulars, orders), plans, and programs aimed at implementing RA 10821 - to see what DepEd has done to implement the law? It is not meant to evaluate the department per se but the research hopes to show where is the law in terms of its stage of implementation. Thank you for your prompt reply! Sincerely, Roy Bautista

11 May 2021 Mses. Beverly Berame/Jenielyn Luna FOI Receiving Officers Dear Mses Berame and Luna, This letter is in line with my eFOI request dated 10 May 2021 re copy of DepEd's policy directives (circulars, orders), plans, and programs aimed at implementing RA 10821 of 2016. Under Section 4(f) Plan of Action for Prompt Resumption of Educational Services for Children, states that “the DepED, in coordination with the DSWD, DILG, and the concerned LGUs shall ensure the prompt resumption of educational services for all children, including early childhood care and development for children aged below five (5).” Section 5 on Evacuation Centers states that— "Only in cases where there is no other available place or structure which can be used as a general evacuation center may a school or child development center be used as an evacuation center. When a school or child development center is used as an evacuation center, gymnasiums, learning and activity centers, auditoriums and other open spaces shall be utilized first. Classrooms shall only be used as a last resort. The use of the school premises shall be as brief as possible. If the use is predicted to exceed fifteen (15) days, the affected LGU shall provide written documentation to the DepED and the DILG on the following: (a) The name and location of the school; (b) All alternative sites and proposal for final site selection: (c) Measures being implemented to prevent interference or disruption to the school and educational activities of children; and (d) Other particulars to be provided in the implementing rules and regulations of this Act. The DepEd, in coordination with the DPWH, shall continuously monitor and assess the condition of temporary learning spaces or other transitional and semi-permanent structures used as classrooms after a disaster, and if the use exceeds six (6) months after the declaration of a state of calamity, the regional DepED office shall conduct regular site inspections and shall certify to the Secretary of Education that such spaces are in good physical condition and sufficient to ensure the safety of the children and their environment." On Sec. 10. Appropriations — "The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the … DepED. Thereafter, the amount needed for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the annual GAA." In line with Section 4 (f) and Section 5, may I request for a copy of a) Departments Circulars or Orders or Guidelines issued to its different regional and field offices; b) related Joint Circulars (if any) with DSWD and DILG; c) DepEd Plans with objectives, targets and to monitor compliance to the said Sections. And for Section 10, are these plans funded budgeted under the GAA, if yes, how much since 2018? I am currently finishing my academic Policy Research entitled Review on the Implementation of the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act (R.A. 10821): Towards an Enhanced Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Plan” which aims to determine the status of implementation of the law by government agencies since it was enacted 5 years ago. Data gathering is also being done at the LGU level on this matter to draw inputs and recommendations to enhance DRRM planning. Thank you very much for your support of this undertaking. Sincerely, Roy Bautista

Good day! May I follow up please on my request? Happy weekend and thank you! Roy Bautista

Good day! May I follow up my request, please? Thank you! RBautista