Public school teachers may receive more benefits, such as free medical check up and legal advice, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said on Monday, Feb. 13.
The official gave updates on what the Department of Education (DepEd), under her leadership, had been doing since she took office.
During the 28th Kalinga Founding Anniversary and 4th Bodong Festival where Duterte was the guest speaker, she talked about working with other government agencies to provide more benefits for the teachers.
DepEd is reviewing the Magna Carta for public school teachers, Duterte said, adding that the agency is continuously talking with the House of Representatives and Senate on how to update the current laws.
They are also discussing with the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the teachers’ call for free medical check-up.
The Vice President is also in meetings with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), which handles government personnel’s social security benefits, such as life insurance benefits, separation or retirement benefits, and disability benefits.
“Ina-acknowledge po nila ang lahat ng (They acknowledge all our) demands namin at sinasabihan namin sila na dapat po buwan-buwan ay mayroon kaming (and we tell them that every month, they should have) coordination meeting hanggang sa maayos namin ang mga (until we are able to fix the) accounts ng ating mga (of our) teaching and non-teaching personnel sa (in the) Department of Education,” Duterte said.
The DepEd chief also reported about her plans to provide free legal advice to teachers, especially about the loan contracts they sign.
“Dahil napakahalaga po na maintindihan ninyo kung ano ang pinipirmahan ninyong kontrata, at ma-explain sa inyo ng isang abugado kung ano po ang mangyayari kapag kayo po ay (Because it is very important that you understand the contract you are signing, and a lawyer can explain to you what might happen to you if you are) in default sa inyong pagbabayad sa inyong (in paying for your) loan obligations,” the Vice President said.
“Kaya po kami, nakipag-usap at naghahanap ng (That’s why we are talking and looking for) partners para po (so that) nationwide, ay mayroon mapupuntahan ang ating mga guro para makapagpakonsulta sila kung ano ba ‘yung pinipirmahan nila (our teachers have someone to go to for consultation regarding what they are signing),” she added.
Duterte stressed that these would aid teachers not only in their professional lives, but also in their personal lives.
Meanwhile, in her speech, the Vice President also urged local leaders to “prioritize investments in education.”
“As we start implementing Executive Order 138 empowering our local government units toward full autonomy and greater resiliency, I enjoin our local leaders to prioritize investments in education,” she said, referring to the EO signed by her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, on the decentralization of government agencies and functions to the LGUs.
“It has always been said that education is the greatest equalizer. Sa edukasyon po, walang mahirap, walang mayaman — lahat po sila ay graduates,” she added.
Former President and now Pampanga’s 2nd district Rep. Gloria Arroyo and local officials of the province of Kalinga were also present during the event at the Kalinga Astrodome in Tabuk City, Kalinga province.