A teacher’s group is urging teachers to post photos and videos of their everyday activities following the remarks of a provincial governor who said in a radio program that they are having a good time getting paid doing nothing.
Emmalyn Policarpio, Secretary-General of Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said that she was personally hurt by this as she dedicated a whole day to record and edit a video orientation for her students for Monday’s school opening, on top of numerous paperworks she had to finish.
The statement was made by Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba during a radio interview on DZRH on Saturday, Oct 3. Mamba was asked by the anchor regarding preparations being made by the teachers in his locality.
“Well, sa tingin ko ay nag-eenjoy sila, nagsu-suweldo sila wala naman silang ginagawa (I think they are enjoying because they are getting paid for doing nothing),” Mamba said in the interview.
The governor added that teachers should not be complaining and should rather intensify their efforts so the government’s resources are not put to waste. This comment of his was not taken lightly in social media where it earned negative reactions especially from teachers.
“Halos naiyak ako sa narinig kong sinabi ni Governor, lalo pa nga at kasalukuyan akong nahihirapan sa mga ginagawa kong trabaho na pawang bago sa akin. Gusto ko pong malaman ni Governor Mamba at ng lahat na hindi po nawalan ng trabaho ang mga guro mula noong Marso at kombinasyon iyon ng work-from-home at on-site reporting,” Policarpio explained.
(I almost cried when I heard what the governor said, especially now that I’ve been having a difficult time adapting to our new roles. I want Governnor Mamba to know that every teacher since March has not stopped working, whether from home or on-site)
In a live streaming program of TDC on Saturday night, Policarpio reminded teachers to use the hashtag #itreallyhurtsGovMamba and to make the issue trend. They are also waiting for his explanation on the matter.
TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas said that the governor should be visiting the homes of teachers in Cagayan to see firsthand how hard their work is.
TDC said it is open to a dialogue with the official and they are prepared to give him time even in their program on social media if he is willing.