DepEd optimistic on conduct of limited physical end-of-school-year rites

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The Department of Education (DepEd) is optimistic that schools will be able to conduct limited physical End-of-School-Year (EOSY) rites for School Year 2021-2022.

At the recent EduAksyon Virtual Regional press conference hosted by DepEd Region IX, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones expressed her optimism that schools may be able to conduct their graduation rites depending on the risk assessment in various regions of the country.

“Yung risk assessment natin sa mga different regions, sa mga different schools ay nag-improve. Pag nag tuloy-tuloy ito, the chances of being allowed to conduct face-to-face graduation also increases. Sunod-sunod yan pag nag-opening ka ng classes, nag face-to-face (classes) ka, physical graduation rites are also possible,” Education Chief Briones said.

“Ang hope lang natin, maabutan ng graduation season natin na hindi naman abutan ng hindi magandang balita (increase in COVID cases/alert level) kung may biglang pagbabago,” Sec. Briones added.

Furthermore, in anticipation of the physical graduation rites, the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction (OUCI) is already planning and developing the guidelines on how to conduct the said activity.

“Kami sa Curriculum and Instruction Strand ay nag-uusap na ng magiging guidelines. Yung tanong na kung possible ang face-to-face graduation? Siyempre po kasi nga pinayagan na ang limited face-to-face, so ang ibig sabihin posible na rin yung limited face-to-face graduation ceremonies,” Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado M. San Antonio said.

Usec. San Antonio also mentioned that the graduation ceremony will not be the same as before the pandemic and assured that proper health and safety protocols will be maintained throughout the ceremony.

“Huwag tayong umasa na katulad ng dati na napakaraming tao, ire-regulate po natin, susundin natin yung mga social distancing requirements,” Usec. San Antonio said.


“May posibilidad na hindi lang isahan, baka may unang oras, isang grupo kung maliit yung lugar na pagdarausan ng face-to-face graduation. Mga ganon na modelo ay pinag-aaralan pa namin at pinag-uusapan, pero sisiguruhin natin na kung tayo ay magre-recommend nito ito ay sasang-ayon sa mga pinapatupad na requirements ng IATF at ng DOH,” he added.

Sheraton Manila Bay Celebrate All Women

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Sheraton Manila Bay continues its commitment to celebrate all women on International Women’s Month, offering a range of delectable culinary and beverage selection for ladies to indulge.
Treat the lovely ladies in your life with our divine Chocolate Fudge Decadent Cake of the Month for only Php 1,200 net. Pair it with a beverage of your choice which come complimentary for every purchase of a whole cake. Moreover, female visitors at the Sheraton Kiosk may also avail of our Buy 1, Take 1 deal on coffees, cold brews, and grab & go juices until March 31, 2022.

On International Women’s Day (March 8), we will be giving away complimentary freshly baked cupcake for a minimum spend of Php 500 on pasties, savories, and beverages at the Sheraton Kiosk.

Chocolate Fudge Decadent Cake is also available at the Culinary Courier. View our menu at bit.ly/ccmnlsb. 24 hours advance reservation is required. To order please call +632 5318 0788, 09175837294, 09175837326 or email sh.mnlsb.fnb@sheraton.com.

The Sheraton Kiosk is located at Robinsons Place Manila, Mall Entrance, Padre Faura Wing. Like us on Facebook and Instagram @sheratonmanilabay and Twitter at @sheratonmnlbay.

SSS statement on the influx of members, claimants in SSS branches

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The Social Security System (SSS) said that the agency has already addressed the influx of transacting members in certain SSS branches in the National Capital Region (NCR), especially in SSS Diliman Branch.

SS made the statement after a media report showed claimants camping outside the SSS Diliman Branch along East Avenue in Quezon City.


“We have accommodated all the transacting members who flocked in several of our SSS branches. We are in 100% operation capacity since all our employees are reporting in the office,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora Ignacio said.


Ignacio said that they will continue to monitor the influx of members in SSS branches. “We will evaluate the situation to determine if there is a need to extend its servicing hours and extend its daily operations until Saturday,” she added.


Likewise, SSS renews its call for members, claimants, and the transacting public to use the agency’s online facilities such as My.SSS and SSS Mobile App for their various SSS transactions.


“We urge them to fully maximize its online facilities, especially the My.SSS portal. There are more than 30 member services available on My.SSS. They can even access some of these services on the SSS Mobile App,” Ignacio said.


Even before the pandemic, SSS have been shifting our core and business processes towards digitalization. In 2011, SSS started accepting online submission of several SSS transactions through My.SSS, an online service portal which can be found on the SSS website (www.sss.gov.ph).


Since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, SSS has accelerated the shift of its over-the-counter transactions through its various online platforms using the member’s My.SSS account and SSS Mobile App which can be done 24/7 at the comfort of their homes or offices. It is in line with SSS’ brand campaign “ExpreSSS” to provide a simpler, faster, safer, and more convenient transaction to minimize their exposure to COVID-19.


Meanwhile, Ignacio said that there is an existing online branch appointment system. Members may use the appointment system to indicate the preferred date and time that they want to be accommodated in their chosen SSS branch.


Further, SSS debunks the misconception that processing of claim and loan applications is faster in SSS Diliman Branch than in other SSS branches. It clarifies that the speed of processing their SSS transactions is based on the completeness of the documents they have submitted.


The “File Anywhere” policy is still in effect so they can transact at the nearest branch of their choice. Currently, there are 58 branches in NCR, about 135 branches in Luzon, 44 branches in Visayas, and 44 branches in Mindanao.

“We want to assure our members that we are continuously finding ways to improve our processes to better serve our members,” Ignacio concluded.