Angara Meets with DepEd-National Employees Union to Address Concerns of Non Teaching Personnel

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On Tuesday, Education Secretary Sonny Angara met with the Department of Education-National Employees Union (DepEd-NEU) National Executive Officers and National Board of Trustees at the DepEd Central Office to discuss and address the concerns of non-teaching personnel.

Accompanied by DepEd NEU National President Atty. Domingo B. Alidon, Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn M. Sevilla, OIC-Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organizational Development and Administration Wilfredo E. Cabral, Undersecretary for Operations Atty. Revsee Escobedo, and other DepEd and DepEd-NEU officials, the meeting focused on the issues raised by the NEU and worked on developing resolutions to benefit the Department’s staff.

One of the key topics discussed was the DepEd NEU’s proposal to review DepEd Order No. 002, s. 2024, which mandates the immediate removal of administrative tasks from public school teachers.

“We will track everything. I will assign HR and the Operations team to take note of all the suggestions. There are many professions involved, and I am sure we can create a career path progression. It may take time, so please bear with us, but we will study it thoroughly,” Secretary Angara said.

DepEd-NEU also suggested allocating the 2023 Collective Negotiation Agreement Incentive (CNAI) of P3,000, including savings pooled from DepEd Field offices, and a retirement benefit of P20,000 for DepEd Non-Teaching Employees across all governance levels.

Meanwhile, DepEd-NEU recommended that the Department issue a directive to ensure representation for non-teaching personnel and implement the CNA in Local School Boards (LSB).

“Since DepEd-NEU is the sole non-academic union of DepEd, we will remind our superintendents and regional officials to recommend their inclusion in the LSB,” Usec. Escobedo emphasized.

In addition, DepEd-NEU proposed the formation of the DepEd Union Management Coordinating Council (UMCC) to strengthen the implementation of the welfare benefits as stated in the CNA.

DepEd and PSAC Jobs Committe Sign Agreement to Enhance Student Skills and Employability

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In an effort to boost the employability of senior high school students, the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Jobs Committee, through the Private Sector Jobs and Skills Corporation (PCORP), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to pilot an enhanced work immersion program. The signing, which took place on August 8, 2024, in Malacañang Palace and was witnessed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., marks a significant public-private collaboration.

The PSAC Jobs members, together with PSAC strategic convener Sabin Aboitiz, organized PCORP as a non-profit, non-stock corporation as its legal entity to organize a well-coordinated government-industry-academe national movement to solve the jobs and skills mismatch problem in the country.

The MOA outlines key elements including an enhanced work immersion experience for students, curriculum alignment allowing more hours for students to learn skills aligned with current industry standards, teachers training to effectively guide students in their journey and lastly job fairs and matching opportunities nationwide.

This initiative aims to bridge the gap between theoretical education and practical industry experience, making students more attractive to potential employers.

Among the first responders from industry to open their doors to the enhanced work immersion program for senior high schools are the Semiconductors and Electronics Industries in the Philippines (SEIPI), IT Business Processing Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), Philippine Constructors Association (PCA), Confederation of Wearables Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP), iPeople through the National Teachers College (NTC), SM Group and Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (Go Negosyo).

Ten schools from north to south, including one specialized in the Alternative Learning System (ALS), is set to participate in the pilot program. These schools can choose focus areas such as IT-BPM, tourism and hospitality, agriculture and entrepreneurship, and manufacturing, sectors which are known for their high demand for workers and abundant job opportunities.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara is fully supportive of this important step towards student employability. “This MOA gives our students the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience while still studying. In that way, it follows the President’s marching orders to us to do everything we can to improve the quality of our education and boost the chances of our graduates at landing better earning opportunities.”

DepEd and PSAC Jobs, along with school heads and industry partners, have been conducting workshops and consultations to establish guidelines for the pilot program that is set to begin in the 2024-2025 school year.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone in our efforts to prepare the next generation for the workforce. By collaborating with DepEd and industry leaders, we can ensure that our students are job-ready and equipped with the skills needed in today’s competitive job market,” stated Joey Concepcion, PSAC Jobs Committee Lead.

MPT South Delivers Vital Relief to Communities Impacted by Typhoon Carina

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In a compassionate display of corporate social responsibility, Metro Pacific Tollways South (MPT South), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), sprang into action to provide critical aid to communities devastated by the wrath of Typhoon Carina that hit Metro Manila and Cavite. On August 5 and 6, 2024, MPT South delivered a total of 600 relief packages to affected host communities, including Brgy. Pulvorista and Aplaya in Kawit, Brgy. Talaba II in Bacoor, Brgy. Tambo, Don Galo, and San Dionisio in Parañaque, and Barangay 201 in Pasay City. 

Recognizing the profound impact of the storm, MPT South also shared 100 relief packages with its valued partners, the Philippine Navy and the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization (ACTO), underscoring the company's commitment to supporting a wide network of stakeholders. 

“We hope these relief packages will help families and communities see that there is always hope, even in these trying times,” said Arlette V. Capistrano, Vice President for Communication and Stakeholder Management at MPT South. “It is essential that we support each other in any way we can.”

This swift and compassionate response from MPT South demonstrates the company's unwavering commitment to its corporate mission and responsibility to support its host communities, especially in times of crisis. MPT South, together with the people who revolve around it, embodies the strong sense of 'Bayanihan' – a uniquely Filipino spirit of community, cooperation, and mutual aid – and is dedicated to sharing this spirit with those in greatest need. 

MPT South is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), the infrastructure arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC). Aside from the CALAX and CAVITEX network of toll roads, MPTC’s domestic portfolio includes the concessions for the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the NLEX Connector Road, the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.