SDO Lucena City – Bureau of Learner Support Services (BLSS)- School Health Division of the DepEd Central Office headed by Dr Mari Blanca Piatos, Medical Officer IV, and the Regional Office’s Education Support Services Division (ESSD) headed by Dr. Pearl Oliveth Intia, Medical Officer IV, visited the Schools Division Office and East 3 Elementary School to monitor the implementation of the 6-flagshipp program of the Oplan Kalusugan (OK) sa DepEd. Dr. Epifania F. Carandang, Chief Education Supervisor of the School Governance Operations Division, together with Mr. Benjie Rivera, AO V, Maria Katherine Panganiban, Budget Officer, Rhea Mojica, Accountant III, and the School Health Nutrition (SHN) unit staff headed by Dr. Don Rey Cariaga, Medical Officer III, welcomed the BLSS team. The said visit was conducted to evaluate the implementation of the 6-flagship program of OK sa DepEd namely, National Drug Education Program (NDEP), School Based Feeding Program (SBFP), Water Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools (WINS), School Mental Health Program (SMHP), Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) and the Medical, Dental and Nursing Services. The school health and nutrition unit staff presented their accomplishments and best practices, followed by a visitation of the dental and medical clinic and the accredited lactation room of the Department of Health (DOH). It was evident that the monitoring team was amazed because the division office as well as the 27 public schools were accredited as a Mother-Baby Friendly Workplace (MBFW). Moreover, the monitoring team went to Lucena East 3 Elementary School (ES) and conducted the monitoring and evaluation of the school’s programs, projects and implementation of the 6-flagship program of OK sa DepEd. The school head, Ms. Paulina Labitigan, with the WINS/WASH officers and the assigned little nurses (learners) of the school, together with the teachers, parents and representatives from the Barangay 10 appreciated the team visits. In addition, Program Coordinators of the school showcased their best practices on the 6-flagship program. The school clinic, canteen, ARH room, lactation room were also visited. The said school is also an accredited Mother Baby Friendly Workplace by the DOH, Division Light House School and now, a 3-star school of the WINS program. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted to the school coordinators together with the SHN unit health personnel. The monitoring team gave their advice, recommendations and appreciations to all the effort exerted by all to ensure the smooth delivery and quality health care program and services to the clients.
//Yvan Jonas A. Tolentino, Nurse II