THE Department of Education (DepEd), through the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), conducted an online learning episode on fake news and fact-checking in the last episode of “Online Kahusayan at Katatagan ng Kabataan (OKKK!) Tambayan” that aired on May 8.

Titled “How to Detect Fake News and Fact Check,” the 11th and final episode was aired from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the

DepEd Philippines Facebook page and Youtube channel.

“We wanted to orient our learners on how to detect false information and do their research to validate the information they see online, considering the increased amount of time they have been spending online,” DepEd-DRRMS Director Ronilda Co said.

Dun Oliver Abiera, founder and executive director of Yabong Philippines, led the discussions with student panelists from Region I, IV-A, and XII. The last episode closed with a special feature segment for participating student panelists and audience members who have completed all 11 episodes of the program.

“OKKK! Tambayan” was one of the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) initiatives of the Department being conducted to help ensure the overall well-being of secondary learners in the Philippines.

It was launched in recognition of the possible impact of the new normal on the mental health of students and to guide them on how to develop proper coping mechanisms and take care of their mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The show tackled various topics on self-care, self-awareness, fostering healthy relationships, and even topics on the responsible use of social media, cybercrime and cyberbullying.