QUEZON CITY -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) launched on October 25 its Padayon program which aims to strengthen the Department’s COVID-19 response using the “Four Es” framework which include Educate, Equip, Emerge triumphant, and Express to heal.

As part of the “Padayon” program launch, the DENR also unveiled its own workplace handbook for COVID-19 management and prevention in support of the national government's efforts to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus during the virtual activity attended by DENR employees nationwide.

The handbook aims to provide interventions for its employees concerning their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health during the pandemic.

A series of online lectures have been conducted since the program was rolled out as part of its education component.

In his message delivered by Environment Undersecretary and Chief-of-Staff Rodolfo C. Garcia, Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said the manual will be beneficial to the agency’s response against COVID-19.

"I am highly confident that this handbook would serve us well because it contains everything and anything we need to know about this dreaded and pesky coronavirus disease," Cimatu said.

"[It shows] what we can do to avoid contracting it (COVID-19), what we should do in case we get it, and how to avoid spreading it," he added.

Cimatu also noted that the handbook will support the existing DENR orders and memoranda to address COVID-19-related concerns.

"This informative handbook is a complementary material to the existing policies the DENR has in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic," he pointed out.

He added: "I am proud that we are being consistent and reliable and doing our share in addressing the challenges brought about by the pandemic without much noise and fanfare."

Department of Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario S. Vergeire, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Director Maria Luisa S. Agamata, and Lucre Mae H. Villaluna of the Career Executive Service Board (CESB) have extended their support and commended the DENR for institutionalizing the project.

Former CSC Commissioner and CESB Executive Director Mary Ann Z. Fernandez-Mendoza was also present during the online activity.

The project is an initiative of the DENR Strategic Communication and Initiatives Service in collaboration with the DENR Association of Career Executives, Kalipunan ng mga Kawani ng Kagawaran ng Kalikasan, DENR Employees Union, Human Resource Development Service, Administrative Service, and the DENR Contact Tracing Team. (DENR)