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LCC’s second virtual TWG meeting was held earlier today, 28 May 2020, via Microsoft Teams. Technical Specifications for the 2019 LCC Research Journal on Literacy and Guidelines for 2020 Call for Research Papers on Literacy were the main agenda of the said meeting. These are the activities under the KRA of Policy Formulation and Research, proposed to be conducted in lieu of the cancelled implementation of the National Literacy Conference and Awards this year.

The eighteen (18) research studies on literacy which were presented during the 2019 National Literacy Conference held on October 8-10, 2019 in Iloilo City, will be featured in the said research journal. This year, LCC proposes to launch the second wave of the Call for Research Papers that will focus on ensuring sustainability of literacy efforts amidst the crises that our country faces, including Taal Volcano eruption, COVID-19 pandemic, among many others. Such research studies shall provide policy recommendations which may be used by the Council for relevant policy formulation. 

The videoconference was participated in by Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig of PNU; Ms. Susan M. Carandang of NEDA; Mr. Zaldy I. Masangkay of DILG; Mr. Nemesio O. Malatamban III of the House of Representatives;  Ms. Melinda T. Quiñones of PIA; Ms. Aurea Jean A. Abad, a resource person; and the LCC Secretariat head and staff.

The Office of the Undersecretary for Administration (OUA) through the DepEd Information and Communications Technology Service – Educational Technology Unit (ICTS-ETU) spearheaded a two-day webinar series on the effective delivery of teleconferencing, video conferencing, and webinars for OUA Strand. The first part of the webinar series with a topic on conducting effective Webinar Broadcast was participated earlier today from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM local time via Microsoft Teams. Together with the LCC Secretariat (LCCS) personnel, the said capacity building program was also attended by key personnel of the Administration Strand and other bureaus/ divisions of DepEd Central and Regional offices.

DepEd ICTS-ETU Head Mr. Mark Anthony C. Sy chaired over the online activity aimed at discussing constructive guidelines, techniques, and parameters on maximizing online resources in conducting webinar broadcasting to attain sustainable and effective work delivery during this “new normal” amidst COVID-19 pandemic. He also presided an open forum and hands-on workshop on creating and using a StreamYard account, which is a free or paid alternative live video production tool in any supported browser (Chrome, Firefox and Opera only) wherein a user can connect a social media platform group/page/profile, stream their own website, and utilize other online features.

Mr. Salvador E. Manansala I of Schools Division Office (SDO) Mandaluyong City, Mr. Mark Anthony F. Jamisal of SDO Antipolo City, and Mr. Mark Anthony F. Papa of SDO Cavite also shared their actual experiences and the interactive applications they use (StreamYard, Canva and Snapchat) on delivering virtual trainings as Webinar Moderator, Host, and Director, respectively.

The second part of this online session with a topic on the effective delivery of videoconferencing and teleconferencing will be held tomorrow, 21 May 2020 at 9:30-11:00 (GMT +8).

Dr. Carl Balita conducted a webinar on May 1, 2020, in cooperation with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry through the PCCI-Human Resources Development Foundation. Dr. Balita has created the OMNI-Modal Learning Experience Model to help teachers prepare for the disruptions brought about by the 4th Industrial Revolution in the VUCA world, and currently being accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The participants to this were University and College Presidents, Deans, Principals, Academic leaders, teachers and DepEd CI strand.

Spearheaded by The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and UNICEF Philippines, the Webinar on Adolescent Health During COVID-19 was facilitated earlier at 10:00 AM-12:00 NN local time via Zoom application. Along with the LCCS personnel, the said activity was also attended by adolescents, youths, academe, school health personnel, focal persons, Nongovernment Organizations (NGOs) and other relevant stakeholders involved on child rights and adolescent health.

The webinar featured relevant discussions such as Effects of COVID-19 on Adolescents, Child Protection during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Framework, Telemental Health and Medical Services during the ECQ, and Online Engagement of Adolescents. It also included an open forum wherein the speakers provided practical scenarios which gave the participants an in-depth understanding on mental health issues especially during the COVID-19 and the ECQ.

As for the conclusion, the speakers reiterated that “We are acting normal in a very abnormal environment. The feelings that we experience are all valid. We need to establish a community of strong support where everybody cares for everyone.”

Planning of LCC Activities for the utilization of funds for the 2020 National Literacy Conference and Awards (NLCA) which was cancelled due the COVID-19 pandemic became the main agendum during the first-ever virtual Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting via Microsoft Teams held on April 28, 2020. This is amid the Luzon-wide Lockdown as recommended by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases and approved by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig of the Philippine Normal University (PNU) presided over the virtual meeting aimed at approving the LCC Secretariat’s proposed activities for 2020 Current Funds which were narrowed down into four (4) key result areas (KRAs) Advocacy, Social Mobilization and Networking; Policy Formulation and Research; Knowledge Management; and Capacity Building, including other possible procurement programs. The Council’s contribution to DepEd’s Learning Continuity Plan was also presented for discussion, seeking the participation of the Council member agencies to support the Secretariat in the coordination and implementation of the plan. These proposed activities are in lieu of the cancelled implementation of the 2020 NLCA, as ratified during the recently conducted 141st Council Meeting.

The videoconference was participated in by Mr. Nemesio O. Malatamban III of the House of Representatives; Mr. Zaldy I. Masangkay of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); Ms. Melinda T. Quiñones of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA); Ms. May R. Cinco of the Education Network (E-Net) Philippines; Mr. Edicio dela Torre of the Education for Life Federation; Ms. Aurea Jean A. Abad of the NLA Board of Judges, and the LCC Secretariat head and staff.

The Literacy Coordinating Council (LCC) conducted its first-ever virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams on April 20, 2020 amidst the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Deliberation and discussions included the approval of the minutes and status of agreements of the 140th Council Meeting; presentation on the updates, issues and concerns on the conduct of the 2020 National Literacy Awards (NLA); amendments to the House Bill on the Revised LCC Law; and the appointment of the new representative from the network of Non-Government Organizations (NGO).

As ratified and approved by the Council, all activities relative to the conduct of the 2020 National Literacy Conference and Awards have been cancelled this year and may be implemented either next year or in 2022 when the situation would already permit. It was also decided that the House Bill on the revised LCC Law will be further amended for finalization. Lastly, the Council confirmed the appointment of Prof. Flora C. Arellano, President of Education Network (E-Net) Philippines, as the official NGO representative to LCC.

LCC Chairperson Diosdado M. San Antonio, DepEd Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction, presided over the 141st Council Meeting attended by Council members and representatives Mr. Adnan P. Ahmad of the Philippine Senate; Mr. Nemesio O. Malatamban III and Atty. Devi Katerina Martinez-Negre of the House of Representatives; Dr. Heidi B. Macahilig of the Philippine Normal University; Dir. Myrna Clara B. Asuncion of the National Economic and Development Authority; Ms. Melinda T. Quiñones of the Philippine Information Agency; Prof. Flora C. Arellano and Ms. May R. Cinco of E-Net Philippines; and Mr. Edicio G. dela Torre of Education for Life Foundation.

The LCC Secretariat would like to extend its gratitude to all the Council members and representatives and its warmest congratulations to the newly-appointed NGO Representative Prof. Flora C. Arellano!

The webinar took place on Friday, 24 April 2020 from 13:00–14:30 (GMT+2), to share experiences from around the world. It presented key issues to consider for preparing and planning for school reopening. It also highlighted some of the common challenges to anticipate and ways to address them; and presented lessons learned from past crises that can be useful in the current context.

The target audience for this webinar are primarily Ministry of Education officials engaged in planning for school reopening, following school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also relevant to other interested representatives of the wider education community, including teachers, students, parents, academics, civil society and private sector representatives, private school providers, other government officials, including from Ministries of Health, Social Affairs, and others.