THE Department of Education (DepEd) has issued an order reminding employees and officials to refrain from conducting “partisan activities,” and only raise their concerns and issues through appropriate channels of the agency.
Department Order (DO) 49, signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte on November 2, stated employees and officials shall “desist from soliciting favorable actions from politicians . . . to facilitate the implementation of programs, projects, or activities, except those covered by the Adopt-a-School Program, initiated by the local government units, funded by the Special Education Fund, or covered by partnership agreements and/or allowed by law.”
DO 49 is an amendment to DO 47 released on Oct. 17.
Duterte stressed that it is the policy of the DepEd to promote effective and efficient policies and programs.
DepEd employees and officials were also told to refrain from seeking endorsements, recommendations, contributions, support, considerations, political accommodations, or any form of intervention from other government personnel or similar entities outside of the agency.
Likewise, they are also prohibited from requesting or obtaining support or endorsement from any third party in the hiring, transfer, promotion, removal, or any other personnel movement.
“Follow the internal rules and regulations of the Department on protocols relative to communication, correspondence, and other appropriate work processes . . ,” the order stated.
They were also told to raise matters related to basic education via formal and appropriate DepEd channels or offices, either directly to the Office of the Secretary or through the concerned assistant secretary or undersecretary without resorting to any political or third-party intervention or accommodation.
“Failure to comply with any of the above mentioned acts shall mean outright denial of any request or appeal for consideration in the Office of the Secretary,” the Education chief warned.
Image credits: Patrick Roque/Wikimedia Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA-4.0