SAN FERNANDO CITY – To present and discuss the updates and information about the Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019-nCoV ARD) the Department of Education Regional Office I (DepEd RO I) in coordination with the Department of Health Region 1 (DOH R1) convened at the National Educators Academy of the Philippines Region 1 on February 13, 2020.

Some 27 participants from the 14 Schools Division Offices attended the meeting composed of Medical Officers, Division Nurse, and Division DRRM Coordinators.

Through the personnel from the Educational Support Services Division of DepEd RO1 composed of Medical Officer IV, Dr. Danilo A. Concepcion; Dentist III, Dr. Marjorie G. Pudin; Project Development Officer (PDO) IV Darius C. Nieto; and PDO II Jose Ritchie B. Perez, the First and Second Sets of Policy Directives of the DepEd Task Force NCOV were presented.

The two DepEd Memorandums provide information and guidance to DepEd officials, personnel, and staff at the Central Office, regional offices (ROs), and schools division offices (SDOs) nationwide, relative to the ongoing efforts of the Department to respond to the 2019- novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD).

Part of the provisions are the measures for the prevention and control of the 2019-nCoV ARD in basic education schools and offices; activation of Disaster Risk Reduction Management Teams in DepEd ROs, SDOs, and schools; operationalizing the preventive alert system in schools; safety precautions and protocols; travel measures and restrictions; and the suspension of all national and regional activities.

The participants were given the chance to raise questions to be enlightened about the 2019-nCoV ARD as well as the provisions of the memos.

By Jose Ritchie B. Perez, PDOII-ESSD