By Merlina Hernando-Malipot  A teachers group on Wednesday reminded the Department of Education (DepEd) of its “obligation” to provide free medical examinations to teachers in public schools nationwide. Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairperson Benjo Basas noted that the provision of free medical examinations for public school teachers it is mandated under the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Republic Act No. 4670) issued in 1966 which is already considered a “vintage law.” (Jojo Riñoza / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) “It is clear that medical examination for public school teachers should be done annually, it is compulsory. However, the same provision of the law also says that it should be free and in fact, the law mandates that the government should pay for teachers’ hospitalization and treatment if found necessary,” Basas said. Basas noted some field officials require the submission of a medical certificate by the end of the school year but said that expenses for such will be shouldered by the teachers. This, he said, “runs contrary” to Section 22 of the Magna Carta. The compulsory medical examination, Basas noted, shall be provided free of charge for all teachers before they take up teaching, and shall be repeated not less than once a year during the teacher's professional life. “Where medical examination that medical treatment and/or hospitalization is necessary, same shall be provided free by the government entity paying the salary of the teachers,” he added, citing the Magna Carta. Basas noted that DepEd last year declared that the government has provided an amount of P500 for the medical examination for each public school teacher for 2019. However, TDC claimed that the said fund “was not released to teachers and they paid their annual medical examination.” “That was supposedly the first time that the entire teaching force of DepEd will benefit from this specific provision of the law, after 53 years, but it never happened.” Basas said. TDC said that the amount of medical examination expenses varies depending on the teachers’ location, ranging from P400 to P1500. TDC reiterated its appeal to Education Secretary Leonor Briones “to enjoin the entire DepEd system to observe the law and provide the medical examinations, which are on-going in some areas, for free.” The group also offered their help thru a dialogue to discuss the issue and come up with a “solution acceptable both for teachers and DepEd management.” "As far as the law is concerned, expenses for annual and compulsory medical check-up should be included in DepEd budget, provision from LGU’s (local government units) or government health facilities may be an alternative,” Basas said.