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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Teachers vs Tulfo: Groups hit DSWD Chief over 'prejudiced' statement 

Teachers vs Tulfo: Groups hit DSWD Chief over 'prejudiced' statement 

Published Aug 24, 2022 06:12 pm

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Erwin Tulfo is under fire for “insulting” teachers.

DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo (ALI VICOY / MANILA BULLETIN)

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines and Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), in separate statements issued Wednesday, Aug. 24, slammed Tulfo for saying something that was “prejudiced and uncalled for” against teachers.

During the signing of the memorandum of agreement (MoA) between DSWD and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on educational assistance distribution, Tulfo expressed concern that teachers may “favor certain individuals” if they will be allowed to be involved in the distribution of the agency’s educational cash aid.

Tulfo, however, was quick to add it would be unfair for teachers if they will be accused of favoring their relatives or their acquaintances.

Not us

“Sir, you cannot cover up your own failures by nitpicking on others. Huwag kami (Not us),” said ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua.

Quetua said that Tulfo’s statement was “very irresponsible” --- coming from a “very irresponsible” government that failed to implement an efficient system to distribute the cash for students in crisis.

Chaos ensued when parents and students flocked to DSWD offices on the first distribution of the payout on Aug. 20.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/20/teachers-on-dswds-aid-distribution-truly-a-deplorable-sight/

ACT said that Tulfo already “inconvenienced” the teachers when DSWD made a very late announcement a few days before school opening that educational assistance will be distributed.

“It caused the deluge in schools of parents asking for certificate of enrolment at a time when our teachers are struggling to set-up their classrooms, source out chairs and accomplish last-minute preparations for the class opening,” Quetua said.

For TDC, Tulfo’s statement was “very hurtful” because he was insinuating that teachers may favor their relatives over other recipients.

Just like in every election, TDC said that teachers do not have control over such programs. “We only facilitate and work based on the policies,” TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas said.

Basas also lamented that these programs of other agencies which are coordinated or rather relied on by the Department of Education (DepEd) “actually add to the burdens of our teachers.”

Apologize to teachers

Given this, ACT is urging Tulfo to apologize to teachers.

“They don’t deserve to be insulted like this and be put in such bad light,” Quetua said, noting that “teachers do not want the job.”

ACT pointed out that for decades, many government agencies have been utilizing the services of teachers for various duties that take away time from teaching such as monitoring the 4Ps recipients, monitoring the immunization of students, administering the deworming program, and performing census and election duties.

Tulfo, ACT said, should “apologize to our teachers and his agency should in fact properly compensate our teachers who perform duties”, especially for the 4Ps program.

Related Tags

deped education Erwin Tulfo teachers DSWD
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