Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon expressed condolences to the family of public school teacher Agnes Buenaflor who collapsed during a classroom observation and died in a hospital on Jan. 7. She was 58. 

“Nakikiramay po ang buong Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Muntinlupa sa pamilya, mga kasamahan, at mga mag-aaral ni Ma’am Agnes Buenaflor, isang guro ng Pedro E. Diaz High School. Ayon sa ulat ng Department of Education (DepEd), pumanaw si Ma’am Buenaflor matapos siyang himatayin habang isinasagawa ang isang classroom observation bilang bahagi ng proseso ng ahensya (The entire Muntinlupa City Government extends its condolences to the family, colleagues, and students of Ma’am Agnes Buenaflor, a teacher at Pedro E. Diaz High School. According to a report from the Department of Education (DepEd), Ma’am Buenaflor passed away after fainting while conducting a classroom observation as part of the agency’s process),” he said in a statement. 

Buenaflor taught the Filipino subject to Grade 7 students at Pedro E. Diaz High School in Alabang, Muntinlupa. 

Her wake is at the Sacred Heart Memorial Chapel in Dasmariñas, Cavite, according to a Facebook post by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) NCR Union. 

“We continue to extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, loved ones, students and co-teachers during this difficult time.  Earlier today, ACT Muntinlupa Union President Tony Palmero personally visited to pay his respects and express solidarity with the bereaved family. May we all keep Ma’am Agnes in our thoughts and prayers as we remember her life, service, and kindness,” the union announced. 

The wake for Muntinlupa teacher Agnes Buenaflor is at the Sacred Heart Memorial Chapel in Dasmariñas, Cavite (Photo from ACT NCR Union's Facebook page)

Muntinlupa public high school teacher Agnes Buenaflor (Contributed photo)

The wake for Muntinlupa teacher Agnes Buenaflor at the Sacred Heart Memorial Chapel in Dasmariñas, Cavite (Photo from ACT NCR Union's Facebook page)

The mayor said he ordered the city government to assist the family of Buenaflor in processing the needed documents and provide them help. 

“Ang pangyayaring ito ay nagpapaalala sa atin sa kahalagahan ng pagbigay ng atensyon sa iba't-ibang aspeto ng edukasyon sa ating lungsod hindi lamang sa mga isyung direktang may epekto sa mga learners kundi pati na rin sa ating mga educators  (This incident reminds us of the importance of paying attention to various aspects of education in our city not only in issues that directly affect learners but also our educators),” he said. 

He added, “Nakakalungkot dahil ang sinapit ni Ma’am Buenaflor ay may kinalaman sa kanyang kalusugan na bahagi ng welfare at wellbeing bilang isang guro (It is unfortunate because what happened to Ma’am Buenaflor is related to her health which is part of the welfare and wellbeing of a teacher).” 

Biazon said besides providing support to students, this year the city government will take steps to support the profession and welfare of public school teachers. 

“Sa Muntinlupa, patuloy nating pinalalakas ang suporta sa edukasyon sa pamamagitan ng scholarship programs, libreng school supplies at sapatos para sa mga mag-aaral, at mas pinaigting na pakikipag-partner sa DepEd. Sa taong ito, magsasagawa din tayo ng mga hakbang para sa mga guro bilang bahagi ng mas pangmatagalang suporta sa kanilang propesyon at kapakanan (In Muntinlupa, we continue to strengthen support for education through scholarship programs, free school supplies and shoes for students, and strengthened partnerships with DepEd. This year, we will also take steps for teachers as part of longer-term support for their profession and well-being),” the mayor said.