Policy and Legislative Reforms The following policy and legislative reforms will be supported: 1.
Amendment of COA Circular No. 2012-001 prescribing the desired guidelines and documentary requirements for government transactions to “explicitly include the acceptance of the electronic signature on signed documents in lieu of the submission of original copies”. COA to issue guidelines allowing electronic signature in accountable forms and on obligation request slip, disbursement vouchers and other documents needed for disbursement process.
2.
Amendment of DepEd Order No. 21, s. 2018 (Implementing Guidelines on the Allocation and Utilization of the Human Resource Development Funds for Personnel in Schools and Learning Centers) and DepEd Order No. 28, s. 2018 (Guidelines on the Utilization of the Human Resource Training and Development Fund). The amendment shall consider the purchase of internet modem and payment of internet connection, cable TV, satellite TV, and subscription/enrolment to online courses being provided by various learning groups and institutions as eligible expenses.
3.
Amendment of DepEd Order No. 15, s. 2017 on the Guidelines on the Allocation of Funds for Venue, Meals and Snacks, and Room Accommodation for Official Activities Organized and Conducted by the DepEd. This will consider the requirements of physical distancing in budget allocation, such as extended number of days of the activity due to limited number of participants that can be accommodated in a day.
4.
Amendment of DepEd Order No. 35, s. 2016 – on The Learning Action Cell (LAC) as a K to 12 Basic Education Program School-Based Continuing Professional Development Strategy for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning. This is to include a specific provision of conducting LAC sessions using the online platform delivery mode and/or blended learning and if necessary, the development of LAC modules for teachers and school heads who have difficulty in the internet connectivity. It is also recommended to provide a standardized monitoring and evaluation tool in the conduct of LAC sessions online.
5.
Amendment of Republic Act No. 10912 – Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Act of 2016. The Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC), as the major accrediting agency of all CPD providers, should publish the list of accredited online professional development providers to prevent unscrupulous and unaccredited learning facilities from persuading teachers to enroll in short course/seminar/trainings. The PRC must also provide clear guidelines in the grant and transfer of credit units earned from online learning processes and activities.
6.
Policy review of DepEd Order 16, s 2017 or the Research Management Guidelines (RMG) to consider the following provisions: a) the approved Basic Education Research Fund (BERF) funds will be downloaded to the school divisions as part of the regional office management of funds, b) allow online submission of documents instead of hardcopies c) Downloading of funds to schools divisions with approved BERF qualifiers Western Visayas COVID-19 Regional Recovery Plan Thematic Strategies to Mitigate Losses 110
