CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) today conducted a "bayanihan" community pantry for the benefit of its central office employees.
The event, organized by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), together with Bureau of Human Resources and Organizational Development – Employee Welfare Division (BHROD-EWD), is part of DepEd's 123rd founding anniversary. Bayanihan is Filipino custom derived from the Tagalog word “bayan” for nation, town or community. Bayanihan literally means “being in a bayan” and it refers to a fundamental aspect of Filipino culture: working together as a community to achieve a common goal.
“As we celebrate our anniversary, we want to relive the spirit of Bayanihan with our personnel and stakeholders. It is wonderful to see that the entire Department is helping each other, ensuring that everyone is healthy and safe in these trying times,” Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said.
While observing required health protocols, DRRMS provided vegetables, grocery staples, and other food packs for personnel in the simple pantry set-up in front of the Rizal Hall at the Central Office with the help of Administrative Service.
“We are encouraging our field offices to join us in highlighting the spirit of Bayanihan by continuously helping our colleagues and assisting our community,” the Education chief said.
Last April, various community pantries popped up in nationwide organized by learners, teachers, and DepEd personnel, including pantries providing reading and learning materials to help learners amidst the pandemic.
“This Community Pantry is one of our ways to help our employees during this pandemic. We want to show them the spirit of Bayanihan and that our DepEd family is ready when they need our help,” DRRMS Director Ronilda Co expressed.
In addition to the pantry initiative, the DRRMS has also been in the forefront of the Department’s mental health programs and activities.
This year's Department’s founding anniversary theme ‘Bayanihan para sa Edukasyon,” recognizes the assistance and support of teaching and non-teaching personnel, parents, stakeholders, partners, and the community in continuing the education amidst the pandemic, imparting education as a shared responsibility. (DepEd/PIA-NCR)
