Manila: Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Monday commended public school teachers for their unwavering dedication to helping learners recover from the recent 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu and the series of typhoons that struck Northern Luzon and the Bicol Region. Angara made the statement as he joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in the culmination of the National Teachers' Month celebration, held alongside World Teachers' Day.
According to Philippines News Agency, Angara lauded the resilience of teachers who 'continue to serve' despite the challenges brought by natural calamities. 'Our teachers have been the first to step up in every crisis, ensuring that children's education does not stop. That is why recovery efforts are tied closely with teacher support,' he said.
Angara assured that the Department of Education (DepEd) is ramping up efforts to hasten the delivery of aid in affected areas. These include the provision of temporary learning spaces, modular learning materials, and psychosocial support, among others.
The education chief also highlighted key reforms aimed at improving the welfare of Filipino teachers. 'Patuloy na nagbibigay ang DepEd ng prayoridad sa inyong kapakanan, mula sa career progression, dagdag benepisyo tulad ng (The DepEd continues to prioritize your welfare, from career progression and additional benefits such as) teaching, medical, overtime at (and) overload pay, hanggang sa pagbawas ng (up to the reduction of) admin(istrative) tasks,' he said.
As of September, 982,237 out of more than 1.2 million teaching and non-teaching personnel have received the PHP7,000 annual medical allowance. Public school educators are also entitled to a PHP10,000 teaching allowance under the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act and a Special Hardship Allowance for those assigned to difficult posts.
They also benefit from the expanded career progression system, either in the teaching or administrative track; reduced administrative workloads, with paperwork cut by 57 percent; an increase in vacation service credits from 15 to 30 days; the confirmed release of the 2023 performance-based bonus by yearend; and the implementation of the 10-year Teacher Education Roadmap until 2035.
The DepEd has likewise proposed a PHP16-billion budget for digitalization, which includes the distribution of 240,000 laptops for teachers in 2026. At least 60,000 new teaching positions are also being eyed to 'reduce class sizes,' with about PHP114.39 billion earmarked for their salaries and benefits next year-a 19.4 percent increase from the previous allocation.
For this year's celebration of World Teachers' Day, each public school teacher will also receive a PHP1,000 incentive benefit.
