CONTINUITY PLAN AMIDST DISRUPTIONS

OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING SERVICES ACTIVITIES

CONTINUITY PLAN
AMIDST DISRUPTIONS OF EXTENSION
AND TRAINING SERVICES ACTIVITIES

BATAAN PENINSULA STATE UNIVERSITY

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 CONTINUITY PLAN AMIDST DISRUPTIONS
OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING SERVICES ACTIVITIES

CONTINUITY PLAN
AMIDST DISRUPTIONS OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING
SERVICES ACTIVITIES
OFFICE OF EXTENSION AND TRAINING SERVICES

PATHWAYS FOR ADJUSTMENTS

The overall strategy of BPSU Extension and Training Services Group is encapsulated in the
university acronym – BPSU:

B stands for “Building Bridges

Through Digital Platforms”
People
P stands for “People Empowerment Buidling Bridges
Empowerment
Amidst Global Pandemic”
S stands for “Sustainable and
Comprehensive Programs to
Address Community Needs”
U stands for “Uniting Institutions
and People Organizations for United
Common Good”
Sustainable and
Institutions and
Comprehensive
People
Programs
organizations

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 CONTINUITY PLAN AMIDST DISRUPTIONS
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Overall Framework for the Continuity Plan

Institutional Extension and

Support Training

IT based
platform on
extension
Research Enhanced delivery
Extension services
Partnerships and and BPSU’s Lakbay
Collaborations Developmen Rights based
Kalinga
t agenda approach
Programs
with Coping Responsive
Instruction
Plan and Dynamic
Strategies
Community and
Stakeholders
Support Operation

CONTINUITY PLAN FOR OPERATIONS

To meet our targets, the Extension and Training Services Office will ensure its continuous
operations. ETSO will observe the new normal system of operations wherein processing of
documents will be done online through electronic mails (e.g. Gmail, Yahoo), Facebook Groups and
Facebook Messenger, Viber Messaging, and SMS. All transactions will be done thru online
platforms because there will be restrictions when it comes to face-to-face setting.

The following will be conducted and monitored online.

- Extension Proposal Development and Processing

- Preparation of Purchase Request for all the materials to be used in the training
- Extension Project Implementation, Monitoring and
Evaluation

Protocols stated in the Manual of Operations of ETSO will still be followed although
transactions and submissions will be done fully online as much as possible. Face to face
processing may also be allowed for extraordinary circumstances

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MODE OF COMMUNICATIONS
Communications will never be deferred by the pandemic as it will still be
mobilized by using online platforms such as yahoo, Gmail, messenger, and SMS. Thus, the
following shall be implemented:
- Letters and memoranda shall be sent to the corresponding offices via online
following the set SOP;
- Request for endorsement of any extension matters shall be made through
Yahoo or Gmail; however, the sender shall see to it that the request must be
with essential supporting documents;

CONDUCT OF MEETINGS

Meetings shall be done via online platforms like Zoom or Google Meet.

OPERATIONS OF ETSO OFFICES AND EXTENSIONISTS

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has made available multiple alternative work
arrangements (AWA) that government agencies can adopt while the entire country is placed
under a State of Public Health Emergency due to the coronavirus disease-2019 or COVID-19
pandemic.
These are work-from-home arrangement, skeleton workforce, four-day or compressed
workweek, and staggered working hours. An agency may also adopt work arrangements
consisting of a combination of these, or other work arrangements appropriate and applicable
to the agency considering the prevailing community quarantine in the area where it is located
and the nature of work performed by its employees.
CSC Resolution No. 2000540 (Revised Interim Guidelines for Alternative Work
Arrangements and Support Mechanisms for Workers in the Government During the Period of
State of National Emergency Due to COVID-19 Pandemic), promulgated on 7 May 2020 and
circularized via CSC Memorandum Circular No. 10, s. 2020, contains the complete set of
guidelines for implementing the said AWA.
These work arrangements are being observed among ETSO personnel in the BPSU
Central and campus offices.
The university also employs the BPSU post-ECQ plan approved by the Board of Regents
for implementation to all campuses of the university.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR EXTENSION WORKERS

As advised by the Inter-agency task Force for emerging infectious diseases or IATF, the ETSO
management shall apply the strictest health protocols for staff and faculty members going out
for extension activities, such as but not limited to the following general guidelines for all
extensionists, regardless of specific exposure risks:

▪ Frequently wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap
and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60%
alcohol. Always wash hands that are visibly soiled.
▪ Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
▪ Practice good respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.

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▪ Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

▪ Stay home if sick.
▪ Recognize personal risk factors. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), certain people, including older adults and those with underlying
conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, are at higher risk for
developing more serious complications from COVID-19.
Specific precautions as advised by the IATF, the Department of Health, the
Department of Labor and Employment, the World Health Organization, and local officials
shall be strictly implemented to all staff and faculty members working on face-to-face
extension activities.

CONTINUITY PLAN FOR DELIVERY OF TRAININGS

These strategies serve as pathways for the university’s adjustment to the new normal and being
able to efficiently and effectively deliver its commitment to extension and training services to the
people of Bataan and beyond.
a. Adjustment Pathway 1. Building Bridges Through Digital Platforms

The new normal has prompted institutions to go virtual and digital in the executions
of a large number of its programs. While it is not ideal for some or many of the extension
activities of BPSU, the power of technology will be harnessed to execute activities wherever
possible, with the exemption of some programs that may be allowed by local government
units:

1. Webinars with Modules – For extension activities that may be delivered online,
webinars will be conducted by the university on some of its programs. The
webinar shall be complimented by modular approach to provide comprehensive
knowledge and skills dissemination training to targeted participants.
A webinar is a seminar on the web – any meeting, conference, recording,
demonstration, training, or event that is designed to disseminate information
either one-way or interactively. Most often, webinars are performed by inviting
participants by simultaneously logging onto a website so that they can see and
hear what is going on. A webinar can also be recorded and referenced at a later
time. This enables new participants to review the webinar as if they are actually
in attendance.

2. BPSU E-extension Portal – the university is currently on the last phase of

setting up its e-extension platform to be attached to the university website. The
platform will serve multiple purposes such as: (a) database of extension
activities across the six campuses of BPSU; (b) repository of digital information,
education, and communication (IECs) materials for consumption of extensionist
and the general public; and, (c) a learning management portal for asynchronous,
self-paced trainings among targeted clients.

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3. Face-to-face activities. Wherever and whenever possible, some programs

need to be executed on a face-to-face basis. Programs that may be executed
on face-to-face basis shall be well-coordinated to authorities following the
strictest health protocols as mandated by health and school authorities.

b. Adjustment Pathway 2. “People Empowerment Amidst Global Pandemic”

The university will remain committed to people empowerment through the conduct
of its remaining programs for FY 2020. With the current number pegging the country to 8
million Filipino unemployed because of the pandemic, the BPSU extension and training
services group will continue to work to facilitate skills trainings and programs that will spur
livelihood, self-sustenance, and small-scale economic activities among targeted individuals
and communities.

c. Adjustment Pathway 3. “Sustainable and Comprehensive Programs to Address

Community Needs”

The integrated approach of BPSU to conducting extension activities will be

maintained, working together with all academic units and research and development units
of the university to work hand-in-hand in providing sustainable and comprehensive
extension programs in various communities. The collaborative expertise of all academic
units, delivered in all extension programs will encourage, sustainability and promote
comprehensiveness. BPSU projects for 2020 are all geared towards sustainability and
comprehensiveness from agriculture to livelihood to skills development to social sciences
to smart technologies. All these are seen to complement the province’s development
programs.

d. Adjustment Pathway 4. “Uniting Institutions and People Organizations for Common

Good”

The university cannot do the task alone amidst the challenges of the global
pandemic. Like in normal situations, extension activities prosper only on grounds of
collaboration. BPSU shall maintain its partnership with various government and non-
government institutions in the implementation of its extension programs, also collaborating
with various peoples organizations. Collaborative meetings and networking shall be
conducted virtually to reach out to all potential and identified partners.

CONTINUTIY PLAN FOR EVALUATION AND MONITORING OF ACTIVITIES

To avoid interactions and close contacts among personnel, all document submissions shall be done
online via emails and shared Google Drives. The ETSO is currently conducting meetings via Google
Meet or Zoom Meetings only to avoid close contacts. All communications and reports are being
transmitted online.

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Evaluation of activities are being done online also through the use of Google Forms and other online
data gathering systems. These systems automatically generate numerical data reports for easier
processing on the side of ETSO personnel as well as on submission of needed reports.

The ETSO online portal also serves as an online repository of reports across the university. The
portal also serves as an online newsletter to keep the university and the stakeholders updated on
extension and training services. The portal is being maintained by a set of assigned ETSO
personnel to upload and update documents and reports and photos and videos to the portal for
public consumption.

Prepared by: Noted:

Dr. BERNADETH B. GABOR, Ph.D. HERMOGENES M. PAGUIA, Ph.D.

Director, Extension and Training Services Vice President for Research, Extension, and
Training Services

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