DepEd orders inventory of school buildings

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Armin Luistro has ordered an inventory of all public school buildings on Dec. 1.

Luistro, in a department order issued on Oct. 28, said the inventory is necessary “to establish accurate and comprehensive data on school buildings, all public elementary and secondary schools.”

School divisions are expected to provide technical assistance and orientation to school officials, he said.

Orientations for regional and division planning officers and physical facilities coordinators are scheduled on Nov. 7, 10 and 11 in five different locations in the country.

School-level orientations for school heads and property custodians may be held any time from Nov. 12 to 28.

Luistro said the data gathering must be conducted by the school head, school property custodian or physical facilities coordinator, and the parent-teacher association president or a barangay kagawad. “Data must reflect school building inventory, actual usage and condition as of Nov. 30,” Luistro said.

“All personnel involved in the conduct of the inventory at school and division levels are allowed to render overtime services during weekdays, weekends, and holidays when necessary to meet the target schedules. At the school level, these overtime services can be converted to service credits,” he said.