SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER from PDI post

With more schools planning to adjust their academic calendar to that of the rest of the world, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) is weighing the proposal of the “big four” universities for a change in the start of the academic year to August or September.

But Patricia Licuanan, CHEd chair, said on Friday that the proposal would be carefully studied to determine its impact and implications on the wider education system in the Philippines.

“We are forming a technical working group and asking them to study the implications and hold consultations on this proposal,” Licuanan said in a telephone interview.

The University of the Philippines (UP) and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) were the first to propose the change last year. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) and De La Salle University (DLSU) followed shortly with the same plan.

Licuanan, however, said that only UP and Ateneo had notified CHEd of their plans.

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DEPED SIGNS IRR OF ANTI-BULLYING ACT OF 2012 by the Daily Tribune

“Every Filipino child must be protected,” Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro stressed following the signing yesterday by DepEd of the Implementing Rules and Regulation (IRRs) of Republic Act 10627, otherwise known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013.

“The Anti-Bullying Act is part of our child protection policy,” Luistro said in his address during the signing ceremony on Dec. 13 at Bulwagan ng Katarungan DepEd Complex on Meralco Avenue, Pasig City.

Luistro said Anti-Bullying Acts include cyber-bullying aside from inflicting physical harm to the child and utterance of slanderous statement or accusation which causes the victim undue emotional distress such as the use of profanities, name-calling and commenting negatively on the victims’ looks, clothes and body.

Bullying would also include social bullying which refers to any deliberate, repetitive and aggressive social behavior intended to hurt others or belittle any individual or group and gender-based bullying that humiliates a person on the basis of their sexual orientation and gender identity.

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DEPED RATIONALIZATION PLAN

WHAT IS THE RATIONALIZATION PLAN (RAT PLAN)?

The Rationalization Program was mandated for government agencies in October 2004 through Executive Order (EO) 366
The goal is to improve the quality and efficiency of government services
Offices will be reorganized to do this

HOW WILL THE RAT PLAN IMPACT THE ORGANIZATION?
The new structure is process-oriented, meaning, offices are there to perform specific functions
Ex: BEE, BSE, and BALS have been reorganized to form the Bureau of Curriculum Development and Bureau of Learning Delivery
The new structure also takes into account changes in the DepEd’s strategic directions and technology (ICT, DRRM, etc.)

WHO ARE INCLUDED IN THE RAT PLAN?
Central Office
Regional Offices
Division office –Proper
Casual and ContractualEmployees funded under GAA-PS with appointment attested by CSC
NOT included: Schools, DepEd-ARMM, Attached Agencies, COS (GAA-MOOE), and COS (foreign-funded)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AFFECTED?
Affected means that their current position is not in the new structure OR there are fewer items provided in the new structure
All affected employees are provided options, whether they want to remain in government service or retire/be separated with benefits

WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS FOR AFFECTED EMPLOYEES?
Remain in government service
Express intent to be placed in a comparable position and go through the placement process
If the employee is qualified, he/she may be placed in a comparable position within the same job group with same Salary Grade (SG) or up to 3 SG levels higher
It means they might change their position or job title or office but will still be working for DepEd using their skills/knowledge
Convert item toCo-Terminus with the Incumbent (CTI) status
CTI status is still a REGULAR plantilla item. Employees who choose CTI will retain their salary grade and rank, and are still entitled to the government benefits attached to their position (except for those given due to performance of specific functions i.e. RATA for the division chief)
It means they can choose to hold on to their item until they choose to retire, resign, or get appointed to another position.
They will be assigned to where their services and skills are needed.
For those interested to apply for the new or higher vacant positions, they can also choose CTI status while applying for new positions in the new structure. If they get appointed, the old item will be abolished. In the event that they don’t get appointed, they can retain the CTI status
Retirement / separation under EO 366
It means they choose not to work for government anymore. They will get more benefits than regular retirement or separation, meaning aside from what they would have gotten from GSIS, they will also get additional incentives from government (through DBM) under EO 366
For employees choosing this option, they cannot be appointed to a regular position in government agencies for the next 5 years (except in hospitals or public schools)
*TAKE NOTE: For regular employees holding plantilla items:
No one will lose their rank or position level.
No one will be forced to retire. It is voluntary.
No one will be forced out or retrenched from the organization
For the casual and contractual employees:
Contracts of casual and contractual employees are extended beyond Dec 15 with approval from DBM

If you are included in the Rationalization Plan and wish to discuss your options further, you may approach your respective head of office/unit. You may also contact the Rat Plan Helpdesk via email: \n This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. '> ratplanhelpdesk@deped.gov.ph

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