by: Joey S. Alvarez

                       The proliferation of COVID 19 disease hit us like a bombshell. The whole world was caught unaware of the devastation it has inflicted in almost all aspects of a human life. Health, economy, education, social functions and other human activities have held put on hold, leaving impact on both professional and personal lives. Many lost their jobs, businesses and income left them to a direction of nowhere.

The challenges brought by this pandemic had tested human being’s coping skill. How one embraces the change can be attested at how a person reacts and acts with enthusiasm, patience and perseverance at certain degree. It is interesting to note that while some see this pandemic in a negative perspective, others took advantage and even made their way to make successful ventures that earned them more income and opportunities like those that are involved in delivery services, communication facilities and even simple household needs provision services.

The story of these successful ventures of others could serve as an inspiration and motivation to keep going. Amidst pandemic, there is still room of opportunities which one can turn to, if only he can keep the optimism. At this moment, there also emerging heroes in disguise we can run to in the person of our relatives, friends, neighbors and associates who when being tapped could lend a helping hand. Most of all, there is always someone up there who knows and provides our needs even without saying. All we need to do is pray and trust because God is there, all the time!

MASBATE CITY SDO EMPLOYS MINIMUM HEALTH PROTOCOLS

                       Since the onset of the first confirmed two cases of COVID 19 in the Philippines on February 2020, the government has taken actions for the containment of the disease.

In response to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease in the Philippines (IATF-EID) call for other government agencies to initiate respective actions in support to the overall government efforts to address the 2019-Ncov ARD, the Department of Education released DepEd Task Force NCOV, defines and sets its perimeters on various areas of concern like employment of minimum health protocols and standards in the entire agency. This policy was later on supported by the next series of DepEd Memorandums and Orders purposely enhancing the preparations and implementation of stringent measures to contain spread of the virus.

On June 15, 2020, DepEd released DepEd Order No. 11. S. 2020 or the Revised Guidelines on Alternative Work Arrangements, stating the new set up of the personnel under the new normal. It requires the Physical or Skeleton Force reporting of only 50% of the office’ work force while the other 50% is on a Work from Home (WFH) scheme. Employees with comorbidity or preexisting health conditions were also prohibited from physical reporting to their offices as they are most likely to easily catch the virus.

Adhering to the above mentioned policies and guidelines from the DepEd higher offices, Masbate City Division has religiously observed stringent measures in health protocols implementation. As such, proper logbook signing for contact tracing purposes are in place, a new handwashing facility at the gate entrance was constructed, footbath and alcohol dispenser are provided at the office entrance to disinfect foot and hands of entering employees and visitors. The guard house and officer of the day booths was covered with transparent material to protect the people inside. Visitors are provided waiting area with chairs arranged at 1.5 meters’ distance. There are also sanitizing bins which housed documents from outside sources to the different sections/units. These documents are forwarded to concerned section/unit only after being quarantined for three days.

On matters of meetings and trainings, mostly are done online thru various platforms as physical interaction is highly discouraged. To ensure mental health, online Mental Health and Psychosocial Trainings were attended by personnel. Until this pandemic comes to total defunct, expect that the Masbate City DepEd spearheaded by the very dynamic Bebiano Sentillas will continuously adopt, innovate and employ measures to protect its personnel. With all of us working together, we can heal as one and beat our common enemy, the COVID 19 virus!