Guidelines Authorizing Payment of Communication Expenses of the DepEd Personnel Relative to the Implementation of Alternative Work Arrangements for the Year 2020

To: Undersecretaries

Assistant Secretaries

Bureau and Service Directors

Regional Directors

Schools Division Superintendents

Public Elementary and Secondary School Heads

Division Chiefs

All Others Concerned

1. In view of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the country, the President, through Presidential Proclamation No. 922, s. 2020 and Proclamation No. 929, s. 2020, placed the entire Philippines under a State of Public Health Emergency, and State of Calamity, respectively. Thus, all government agencies and local government units are enjoined to render full assistance and cooperation, to mobilize necessary resources, and to undertake critical, urgent, and appropriate measures to combat the COVID-19 threats. Thereafter, the entire Luzon was placed under an Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) and stringent social distancing measures were implemented.

2. The Department of Education (DepEd) issued DepEd Memorandum (DM) No. 043, s. 2020, which provided the Guidelines on the Alternative Work Arrangements in Light of the COVID-19 Stringent Social Distancing Measures. This DM identified telecommuting as an alternative work arrangement allowing employees to work from home (WFH) or other off-site locations, provided that the personnel must be readily available during working hours and must be able to respond to directives, requests, and queries through agreed modes of communication with their immediate supervisor.

3. OepEd also issued DM No. 039, s. 2020 titled Authorizing the Use of Regular Allocations for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and/ or Local Funds to Implement Measures in Preparing and Responding to the COVID-19 Threats dated March 12, 2020, authorizing the prudent use/ charging of the regular Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and/ or local funds for COVID-19-related measures of the Department.

4. On May 7, 2020, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) issued Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 10, s. 2020 titled Revised Interim Guidelines for Alternative Work Arrangements and Support Mechanisms for Workers in the Government During the Period of State of National Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic.

5. In view thereof, DepEd Order (DO) No. 011, s. 2020 titled Revised Guidelines on Alternative Arrangements in the Department of Education During the Period of State National Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic was issued on June 15, 2020, which provided personnel, including arrangements and support and Contract of Service (COS) personnel, and officials in all DepEd offices in all governance levels, public elementary and secondary schools, and community learning centers (CLCs).

6. Pursuant to Section 4.0 of CSC MC. No. 10, s. 2020, DepEd issues the enclosed Guidelines Authorizing Payment of Communication Expenses of the Department of Education Personnel Relative to the Implementation of the Alternative Work Arrangement for the Year 2020.

7. This Order shall take effect retroactively on March 16, 2020, and shall remain in force until December 31, 2020, or until CSC M.C. No. 10, s. 2020 and Presidential Proclamation No. 922, s. 2020 cease to be in effect, whichever is earlier.

8. For information please contact the Office of the Undersecretary for Finance Service, 2nd floor, Rizal Building, Department of Education Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, through the email address at usec.financebpm@deped.gov.ph or at the telephone number (02) 8633-9342.

9. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.

                                                                                                                                           Secretary