The Department of Education (DepEd) - Manila was urged to clarify a memorandum regarding completing certain tasks scheduled for June this year which may “violate” the mandatory vacation set for teachers.

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition-National Capital Region (TDC-NCR) sought clarification on a memorandum from DepEd Manila specifically the submission of the Individual Performance Commitment and Review Form (IPCRF) on or before June 10, 2024.

The TDC-NCR asserted that DepEd Manila Memorandum 219, released by Schools Division Superintendent (SDS) Rita Riddle on May 6, 2024, appears to “contradict the directive” from the DepEd Central Office.

TDC-NCR President Nono Enguerra said that the SDO Manila “should comply with the directive” from Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte, specifically DepEd Order No. 3, s. 2024, dated February 19, 2024.

“It is clear that the intention of the Central Office and our Vice President and Secretary Duterte is that teachers should not be required to return or report to school from June 1 to June 30, but this directive from SDS Manila contradicts the DepEd Order,” Enguerra said.

Aligned with other directives

TDC-Manila Spokesperson and Roxas High School Faculty Club President Jim Lester Beleno noted that several DepEd issuances also “align with and reiterate this directive” from the Office of the Secretary.

Beleno noted that even the memorandum from the Office of Undersecretary for Operations (DM-OUOPS-2024-02-01300), signed by Usec Revsee Escobedo and Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas on February 20, one day after DO No. 3, 2024 was made public, “made it clear that teachers are on a 'mandatory 30-day vacation' from June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, and will not have to go back to their schools to do any work, whether it is required or not.”

While the group recognized the necessity of submitting the IPCRF, which forms the basis of DepEd employees' performance ratings, Beleno said it should “not be required during a period specifically designated by Duterte as a time for rest.”

Beleno noted that another DepEd Central memo also said again that the IPCRF should be finished between July 1 and July 12, as stated in a memo signed by Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral on February 22, 2024, which also explained the new due date for this task (DM-OUHROD-2024-0290).

“Furthermore, it is stated that the IPCRF will be completed from July 1 to 12, 2024,” Beleno said. “Hence, the recent SDO Manila directive plainly contradicts the earlier memoranda mentioned, which remain effective,” he added.

Room for discussion

While TDC-NCR and its Manila chapter plan to pursue a dialogue with SDO Manila officials, Villamor Faculty Club President Mingfie Frogosa expressed skepticism about the success of such talks, citing a previous issue.

“This is not the first time we have faced such an issue in Manila,” Frogosa explained. “Just last month, SDO Manila issued a memorandum requiring teachers to report to school even during the suspension of face-to-face classes,” he added.

Frogosa said that the teacher-leaders of the Manila Public School Teachers Association had attempted to discuss the issue with SDS Riddle through dialogue.

“Last month, Manila was the only place in Metro Manila, and perhaps the entire country, where teachers were required to report to school even without face-to-face classes,” Frogosa explained.

“Now, there is another potential violation by SDO Manila regarding the mandatory vacation of teachers,” he added.

As this developed, TDC-NCR said that they would bring this issue to the attention of Duterte and Regional Director Joyce Andaya.

"We know that policy-making is centralized and only the DepEd Central Office has the power to create policies and all DepEd offices are duty-bound to comply, especially if they are for the benefit of the teachers," Enguerra said.