OROQUIETA CITY – To ensure that schoolchildren are provided with basic primary health and dental care, the Department of Education spearheaded the “Oplan Kalusugan sa DepEd” or “OK sa DepEd” here.
The program initially focused on DepEd’s five major school health initiatives such as the School-Based Feeding Program, National Drug Education Program, Adolescent Reproductive Health Education, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools, and Medical, Dental, and Nursing Services.
This year, the School Mental Health Program has been added as the sixth flagship program focusing on the fulfilment of the DepEd’s mandate under Republic Act No. 11036 or the Mental Health Act.
Dr. Edemar Alota, Provincial Administrator of Misamis Occidental, read a message of Governor Philip Tan, who was not able to attend the event. Tan’s message reads: “I hope that today inspires ideas and discussions along the ways that we can make the health policies, plans, programs and activities. One of the priorities of the province of Misamis Occidental is health services. Knowledge above health care starts within ourselves and second from you teachers as you impart health education to your students.”
Mayor Lemuel Acosta praised the event and told the organizers and stakeholders that “we can create or mold our people to become better Filipinos, better Misamisnons and better Oroquitanons.” He also encouraged everyone, including other local governments to stand by the DepEd program.
DepEd Regional Director, Dr. Arturo Bayocot, said the “OK sa DepEd” is a converging effort where health plans, policies, programs, and activities are implemented to ensure that all schoolchildren are provided with basic primary health and dental care to allow them to attain their full educational potential.
“It will also ensure that all DepEd school health personnel and schoolchildren practice healthier behavior that they can do on their own, and get linked up with health providers and local government units for child and adolescent health services,” he said.
Bayocot further underscored the significant role of DepEd health personnel in bringing to the ground the various school health programs of the department. “We want our learners to grow and be educated up to their full potential, and this can be achieved through the active contribution of all of you DepEd health workers in keeping our learners healthy, as well as our teaching and other nonteaching personnel, thus increasing the level of school participation, attendance, and access to education of Filipino learners,” he said. (Shaine Mae Nagtalon)
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