City of San Fernando, Pampanga – Regional government agencies showed collective force for Oplan Balik Eskwela in a press conference organized by the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 3 today, 23 May 2018, at the Aquino Hall, DepEd regional office.

DepEd region 3 launches Oplan Balik Eskwela 2019. Said agency is set to prepare for public assistance command centers in the cities and municipalities in the region. While other agencies introduced their plan to amplify the success of the opening of the new school year.

The Philippine National Police pronounced their Ligtas Balik Eskwela. Their security operations will include public assistance desk, increased police visibility and aide in traffic.

While the assessment of earthquake affected school buildings was reported by the Department of Public Works and Highways. Continues rapid assessment is enforced while no school buildings are severely affected by the 6.1 Magnitude Earthquake, except for a single building in Tarlac housing eight (8) classrooms.

DILG, PIA and TESDA were also present and reported active participation for Oplan Balik Eskwela.

In relation to this agenda, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) region 3, through Tomasa Lirio, Regional Program Coordinator of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino, announced the Bata Balik Eskwela Campaign.

According to Lirio, the objective of this campaign is to initiate collective efforts in encouraging school-aged children to attend school. Municipal Links of the agency conducts house visitation to initiate a purposive dialogue with the children and their parents/guardians.

Out of the 464,771 children being monitored by DSWD region III, 62,798 are not attending school. The home visits are done in collaboration with DepEd educators.

To date, there are 224,519 households being monitored by the department where 96.50% are compliant with education perse. The department also conducts regular supply side assessment to identity availability of supply side which are contributory to the compliance of these children. Gaps are then lobbied in the local, provincial and regional committees.

Moreover, Youth Development Sessions are also successfully implemented, making region 3, the only region with formal, enforced Memorandum of Agreement with DepEd region 3.

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