Briones approves guidelines on reimbursing communication expenses

Recently, Education Secretary Leonor Briones has approved the guidelines for reimbursing communication expenses which will take effect and cover the period from March 16 until the end of the year. 

Work-from-home arrangements were implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And with that, DepEd announced that its employees will be able to reimburse their communication expenses up to P300 per month this year.

The reimbursement will include those who worked from home during the said period and those assigned to form part of skeleton workforce and were ordered to physically report for work on some days.

The amount which may be reimbursed shall not exceed P300 per month, to be certified by the authorized claimant as actual expenses incurred in connection with the discharge of their official functions and are necessary to support the operations of the agency amidst the pandemic,

read the guidelines.

A certification will be issued by the heads offices that will identify the authorized personnel to claim reimbursement for their communication expenses. If they wish to reimburse, they need to submit proof of purchase of prepaid load, payment of postpaid line or internet subscription.

Screenshots or scanned copies of confirmation of mobile e-load showing the reference number and mobile number of the claimant may also be submitted, it added.

The reimbursements shall be charged against the available maintenance and other operating expense balances of the department.

In order to support distance-learning initiatives, including the provision of load allowance for public school teachers and senior high school students, the agency has also requested P4 billion from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

We recognize the importance of load allowance for our learners and teachers to deliver quality education despite these challenging times due to the COVID-19 pandemic,

said Briones.

With support from our Congress and the DBM, we shall continue to push for more financial assistance to our stakeholders,

she added.

As stipulated in Republic Act 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, DepEd said the requested amount will cover the implementation of digital education, information technology, digital infrastructure and alternative learning strategies.

Once released, teachers will receive P450 per month while senior high school students will get P250 per month for three months. Around 3.2 million students and around 900,000 teachers nationwide will benefit, said DepEd.

The connectivity allowance would also enable students and teachers to communicate and download educational materials said Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua.

The load allowance estimates to amount at about P3.6 billion whereas the remaining P400 million will be allocated to expanding production of learning materials, augmenting funds for printing and delivery of self-learning modules and the establishment of radio transmitters in last mile schools.