Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte on Thursday, Oct. 5, said that a Personal Accident Insurance policy is now active for all teachers and personnel of the Department of Education (DepEd) as she works in her concurrent capacity as Education chief to address the challenges faced by teachers.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte speaks during the World Teachers' Day celebration in Butuan City. (Photo from Inday Sara Duterte/Facebook)
On the occasion of the World Teachers’ Day celebration in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, the official disclosed some of the steps DepEd has taken to ensure the welfare of teachers.
Among these steps is the procurement of a Personal Accident Insurance policy with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) “to show our commitment of taking good care of you.”
The insurance has a coverage of up to P100,000 for accidental death or dismemberment and up to P30,000 per year for medical reimbursement due to injuries sustained in accidents.
“As of today, October 5, 2023, the Personal Accident Insurance policy is already active, and all teachers and DepEd personnel are covered,” the Vice President said, adding that the policy covers “accidents both here and abroad, whether they are work-related or not.”
More awaits teachers as Duterte stated the personal accident insurance “is just the beginning” since DepEd is “continuously working with GSIS to develop a Supplemental Health Insurance cover, ensuring comprehensive support for your health needs.”
GSIS officials also came with Duterte for the event “ready to answer any inquiries or concerns that you may have,” she said.
The official added that DepEd has also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with GSIS for “a dedicated and exclusive lane for teachers in all its branches.”
“We have also established a specialized team within said agency to handle teacher concerns, ensuring that your needs are given the attention and support they deserve,” she furthered.
Duterte also hopes to address teachers’ need for “sound legal advice,” especially about loan contracts, via a planned “website that will provide free legal aid and advice, especially on reviews of contracts that you enter into for loans.”
“This will help ensure that you will no longer fall prey to financial frauds,” she added.
DepEd, likewise, wanted to express its “commitment to transparency and fairness” by developing “an automated system for objective selection in the hiring and promotion of teachers.”
“We believe that meritocracy should be the guiding principle in building our education workforce, and we are taking concrete steps to ensure a fair and equitable process,” the Vice President said.