Highlighting the importance of teachers in honing the minds of children and in helping the government during the pandemic, Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sara Duterte promised that the government will be there to support them as well as their students.

Duterte was in Naga City, Camarines Sur to attend the 66th Foundation Day of the DepEd Naga City Teachers and Employees Association (DNACITEA), where she thanked teachers for continuing to perform their duties despite the challenges posed by the lack of resources and the pandemic.

“As you continue to employ innovative techniques to pave way for recovery and normalcy, we walk with you,” she said in her speech on Saturday, Aug. 27.

“Hindi natin hahayaang masayang ang inyong mga magagandang nasimulan. Magpapatuloy tayo at mas lalo nating palalawigin ang ating mga proyekto at programa para sa mga guro at mga mag-aaral at ng (We will not let what good you’ve started go to waste. We will continue and we will expand our projects and programs for the teachers and the students and the) teaching staff ng (of the) Department of Education,” she said.

The lady official also pleaded with them to never tire in serving their students.

“Mahalaga kayo sa bansa. Kayo ang susi sa pagbukas ng kaisipan ng ating mga mag-aaral. Nawa’y hindi kayo tumigil sa paghubog at pagkalinga sa mga kabataan (You are important to the country. You are the key to opening the minds of our students. May you never stop molding and caring for the youth),” Duterte said.

“Kayo ang pangalawang liwanag na nasisilayan ng ating mga kabataan sa araw-araw na pagtuturo. Huwag sana kayong mapagod (You are the second light that shine over our youth every day when you teach them. May you never get tired),” she added.

The Vice President and concurrent education chief was all praises for the teachers who continued with their vocation despite the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“During the pandemic, your efforts and honest struggles to withstand uncertainties are priceless. We know that you have weathered through challenges, but true to your advocacy, you have chosen to thrive,” she said before hundreds of teachers and local government leaders who joined the event.

Earlier, she visited what is referred to as a “last-mile school” in Sitio Lipata, Barangay Gogon in Caramoan to inaugurate the Lipata Elementary School.

She took pride in the two new units of one-storey buildings, which could provide “six conducive-to-learning classrooms” to schoolchildren.

Despite the lack of facilities in the area, Duterte said she saw how much effort the teachers put into ensuring that they deliver education.

She had met with the teachers, who, according to the Vice President, explained to her the difficulties they face because of the lack of resources.

“Pero ako ay nagpapasalamat pa rin dahil hindi kayo nag-gi-give-up sa pagtuturo sa ating mga kabataan (But I am still thankful because you don’t give up in teaching our youth),” she said.