A broad coalition of public school educators decried on Wednesday, Aug. 31, the announcement of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) that teachers could seek compensation for job-related sicknesses under the government's Employees’ Compensation Commission (ECC).

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) called the work-related sickness compensation as a ‘bandage solution’ and explained that there is an existing Magna Carta for Public School Teachers which has wider health coverage for teachers.

TDC national president Benjo Basas said that instead of pursuing the compensation program, DOLE should have pushed for the enactment of the Republic Act 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public Teachers. The law was enacted on June 18, 1966 but is not yet fully-implemented until now.

“While we acknowledge the compensation package under the ECC for it provides benefits to workers and employees both in private and government, unfortunately, the 56-year-old law and its welfare provisions have yet to be fully implemented,” said Basas in his statement sent to Manila Bulletin.

Basas asserted that Section 22 and Section 23, Article IV of the Magna Carta for Public Teachers, state that teachers are entitled not only to free annual medical examination but hospitalization, treatment, and compensation for injuries for public school teachers.

In regions where there is a scarcity of medical facilities, the group said teachers may obtain elsewhere the necessary medical attention with the right to be reimbursed for their traveling expenses.

It also said under the provisions of RA 4670 that the effects of the physical and nervous strain on the teacher's health shall be recognized as a compensable occupational disease in accordance with existing laws.

“We deserve better. Nothing would have made the teachers feel better if we could feel this law and not just a decoration for a long-long time,” Basas laments.