A group of education workers is currently protesting the lack of support coming from the government amid pandemic using their laptops.

Using the hashtags #GuroHindiMakina and #LaptopProtest, members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) started holding protests using their laptops to raise various issues and concerns of teachers and the education sector especially amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country.

For school year (SY) 2020-2021, the Department of Education (DepEd) is currently implementing a blended learning approach wherein majority of the students at the basic education level are under the distance learning set-up.

“Use your laptop and your creativity to get our message across!” said ACT in a Facebook post.

“Design your e-placard and post your photo in your FB wall from May 22 to June 19. Use the hashtags: #LaptopProtest #GuroHindiMakina. 20 best designs will be selected!” it added.

Despite being under the work-from-home set-up, ACT said that its members want their voices to be heard by the government.

In particular, ACT is urging concerned government agencies to address their concerns on service credit and overtime compensation of teachers who have been asked to render duty since June 2020.

The group is also urging the Congress to give more funds to address the needs in the education sector as it deliberates on the Bayanihan to Arise As One bill or the “Bayanihan 3” stimulus package.

ACT is keen to include the provision of higher internet allowance for teachers so they can cope with the challenges brought by the distance learning set-up.

“Samantala, dapat singilin ang gobyernong Duterte sa pagtataksil sa pangakong dagdag sweldo (Meanwhile, the Duterte government should be charged with betraying the promise of a salary increase),” ACT added.

Before Philippine schools were shut down due to the COVID-19 situation in the country, teachers under ACT used to hold sit-down protests to call for salary increase and other benefits for education workers - among others.