by: ELEONOR C. CAYABYAB, ED.D.
To be a public servant knows no distance nor boundaries. A leader whose priority concern is the welfare of her constituents will always find a way to deliver the best services even in difficult circumstances without jeopardizing the health and safety of her people. This is how Madam Leilani Cunanan, CESO V, Schools Division Superintendent systematically runs the office during this State of Public Health Emergency.
When the Covid outbreak resulted to Luzon wide lockdown, the SDO family has immediately embraced the work from home by virtue of DepEd Memorandum no. 43, s. 2020; Guidelines on the Alternative Work Arrangement in DepEd in the Light of Social Distancing Measures, Civil Service Announcement no. 13 s. 2020: Alternative Work Arrangement in the Light of Enhanced Community Quarantine, Proclamation 922: of the President of the Philippines, State of Public Health Emergency and City Mayor Executive Order no. 40, s. 2020: Imposing Implementation of Special hours on curfew, border movement and restrictions.
The aforesaid policies laid the ground to maximize opportunities to work from home through on-line platform utilizing digital applications like video conferencing via Hang outs, Messenger, telecommuting, creation of special chat groups, emailing, utilization of google spreadsheets and available media application accessible to all SDO personnel. Madam Lelilani Samson Cunanan spearheaded the utilization of on-line platform so as not to delay the delivery of basic services , processing of salaries and benefits of all personnel and clients of DepEd. She has been on-line 24/7 to monitor all updates and reports to be submitted to higher offices. This alternative mode of delivery has been made possible through the technical assistance extended by Mr. Arturo Aquino and Mr. Jet Renz Ferrer of the Information and Technology Unit.
The use of on-line platform has shown that DepEd Olongapo City will be able to act on all requests and expectations and the quarantine period cannot interfere in the solidarity all the employees manifest as they put their hands together, “ Towards a Culture of Excellence”.