Monday, January 21, 2013

Annual Reform Report (3 of 5 parts)

Fiscal Reform
The special audit report (2005) and the AusAID funded study (2010) point to challenging fiscal infrastructure within DepEd -ARMM and have set out recommendations which are relevant today. “Out -of-box” salary release and more check and balance mechanisms to arrest slippage from several sources (Oplan LP) and as a result of a freeze order to hold the finances and accounts of the ARMM government had resulted to savings for DepEd-ARMM.

The current payroll database is vulnerable and will have to be improved either through a windows-based system and connected to the HRIS; the WB-AusAID Public Expenditure Institutional Review (PEIR) interventions which has already completed its 1st phase is a significant reform initiative to the overall fiscal health of the department; and fiscal processes will have to be improved according to existing accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

System Review
Under the WB-AusAID Public Expenditure and Institutional Review (PEIR), a study has been undertaken and two consultants are assisting DepEd-ARMM in improving its payroll and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS); and in developing its operations manual. We have since and continue to purge the payroll and plantilla of ghost and overstaying personnel.
Earliest to remit and highest increase in PPSTA remittance nationwide
For the past eleven months of this administration, DepEd-ARMM is consistent in being the earliest region to submit its remittances to the Philippines Public School Teachers Association. As a result, ARMM teachers are now allowed to an increased loanable amount.

REGIONAL INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT ARMM HELPS
Repair and Maintenance of School Buildings
Aside from the Basic Education Facilities Funds (BEFF) and the regular MOOE of secondary schools and division offices, DepEd -ARMM office had provided repair and maintenance assistance for 77 schools in the province of Maguindanao for this year. Other schools from other provinces will also avail of this program in 2013.

Textbooks and Instructional Materials
A total of eighty-four thousand one hundred sixty-six (84,166) assorted teaching-learning supplementary materials were procured and currently being delivered to school-beneficiaries. CVIF Smart Foundation donated 800 assorted books for ARMM secondary schools and elementary books aside from those that were separately donated to the 85 elementary schools in Basilan and Lamitan. At present, DepED-ARMM is waiting for Two (2) Twenty-footer Container Van of Textbooks donated by Asian-American Initiative (AAI).

Pisara ng Pagbabago Project Realizing the lack of the most important teaching equipment, blackboard, DepEd-ARMM procured 1,000 blackboard for each province and had just delivered the allocation for schools under the Province of Maguindanao to be followed immediately by the delivery to Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. For the island provinces, chalks and erasers were also given to some schools.

New Flags for the ARMM Schools
DepEd-ARMM also supplied its 2,473 schools with one Philippine Flag and one ARMM ag.

Rehabilitation of the Sulu SPED Center
DepED-ARMM recently entered into a MOA with the Philippine Marines for the rehabilitation of Sulu SPED Center last November 18, 2012, where an initial amount of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos was allotted. This coming school year, we hope to establish a SPED Center in each province.

Oplan Balik Eskwela
DepEd-ARMM through its “Kulayan ang Paaralan” Project, in partnership with AusAID and other ARMM line agencies, sponsored around 100 schools for repair and improvements.

Financial Support
School-Based Management (SBM) Grant
Five hundred one (501) schools were recipients of SBM of the 2011 Grant that amounted to P25 million pesos. Individual checks were released by the regional governor to the school head beneficiaries. A similar amount under the 2012 SBM Grant will be released early next year, following a successful liquidation of the grants received.

Schools & District Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE)
At the start of Hataman’s administration, only Two Hundred Forty Six (246) out of the 299 National High Schools have MOOE in the amount of Four Million Eight Hundred Thirty Six Seven Hundred Twenty Eight (Php 4,836,728.21). Since December 2011, Nineteen (19) more schools were given MOOE and were now releasing Seven Million Nine Hundred Thirty Six Nine Hundred Sixty Four (Php 7,936,964.15); and by 2013, each NHS will already have their respective MOOE.

Division Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE)
Consistent with its support to the high schools and districts, an increase in the monthly MOOE of all divisions was approved by the regional secretary. A previous monthly MOOE of divisions amounting to ONLY P1.6 Million was increased by 100 percent doubling the allocation to P3.2 Million.
Capacity Building on Financial Management
In order to strengthen compliance with government procurement, accounting and auditing rules and regulations, DepEd-ARMM had invited COA to train 494 principals to undergo seminar-workshop on simplified accounting forms and preparation of financial statements for DepEd-ARMM

LOOKING AT TEACHERS PRIVILEGES AND WELFARE
Settlement of the 1.9 Billion Pesos obligations of DepEd-ARMM
Based on the MoA signed with GSIS, DepED-ARMM already encoded 99% of its personnel service records. Eventually, the Office of the Regional Governor and the DepED-ARMM is hopeful that by the end of the year, a MoA with the DBM on settling GSIS obligations will be signed.
Accounts
DepED-ARMM has completed in a single payment transaction the Marawi City GSIS obligations amounting to P5.4 million and P4.0 million for Basilan account. Currently, we are still paying around P1.0 million for the interest of the Basilan account.

Buy-Out Loan Program with Landbank
To save ARMM Teachers from further victimization of loan sharks and lending institutions, DepED-ARMM entered into an agreement with the Land Bank of the Philippines to Buy Out Loans and/or Emergency Salary Loans at a maximum amount of Three Hundred Thousand Pesos at an effective interest rate of 7.14% per annum to permanent teachers.
Adjustments of Step Increments
Selective and misapplication in the adjustment of step increments had resulted to injustice and demoralization of teachers especially those who have been in the service for some time. An order was issued to rectify the step increments.

Payments of Back-Pays
A Memorandum Order is issued in December to effect the payment of back-pay claims for the year 2012.


IMPROVING EDUCATION QUALITY AND SYNERGY
DepEd-ARMM and DepEd CO Convergence


The first convergence meeting with DepEd CO was in April 2011 at the start of this school year to align the DepEd-ARMM programs to that of the national program on education. Another convergence meeting was held in December.
K-12 Implementation
In compliance with the national policy on K-12 curriculum implementation, which form part of the 10 point education agenda of the president, DepED-ARMM conducted series of teacher training for both elementary and secondary. This school-year’s implementation of the K-12 curriculum commenced with the Grades 1 & 7. In preparation, we have trained three thousand two hundred and forty-five (3,245) Grade 1 teachers and one thousand eight hundred and ninety-one (1,891) grade 7 teachers to implement the new K to 12 curriculum. A P20-million support funds for the reproduction of teaching and learning materials were downloaded to the division offices.

"Moral Governance"

English - "Good governance for a progressive and peaceful BARMM."

Sinama - "Hap pamarinta tudju BARMM na sambu maka salamat"

Bahasa Sug - "Dan mabuntul tudju pa BARMM masambu iban mahatul"

Meranaw - "Mathitu a kandatu sa BARMM ko katagompiya go kalilintad"

Slogan

"Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE)"