Calling it the “height of injustice,” a group of education workers decried the Department of Education’s (DepEd) disqualification from the 2023 Performance-Based Bonus (PBB) and urged Secretary Sonny Angara to take urgent action to appeal the decision.

5Students of Rafael Palma Elementary School attend the first day of classes for SY 2024-2025 on Monday, July 29, 2024..jpg — Students of Rafael Palma Elementary School attend the first day of classes for SY 2024-2025 in July 2024. (ARNOLD QUIZOL / MANILA BULLETIN / FILE)

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), in a statement, called on the DepEd to act immediately and appeal the ruling that has left thousands of teachers ineligible for the 2023 PBB.

“It is the height of injustice that our teachers and education support personnel—who have gone above and beyond their duties despite immense challenges—might now suffer the consequences of the DepEd’s previous administrative failures,” said ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua.

The AO25 Inter-Agency Task Force (AO25 IATF) recently issued a "not eligible" rating to the DepEd Office of the Secretary (DepEd-OSec), citing non-compliance with key governance and procurement requirements.

This decision, ACT said, unjustly penalizes frontline education workers for failures beyond their control.

Administrative failures jeopardize teacher bonuses

According to the AO25 IATF’s scorecard, the DepEd failed to meet crucial transparency and accountability requirements, including PhilGEPS posting, submission of the FY 2023 APP Non-CSE, and implementation of early procurement activities.

ACT linked these issues to the Commission on Audit’s (COA) 2023 Annual Report, which highlighted DepEd’s failure to meet major targets: 0% accomplishment in ICT equipment procurement, only 3% of classrooms completed, no delivery of the over 500,000 targeted school seats, and only 3 out of 88 Last Mile Schools completed.

“This is gross incompetence at the highest levels of DepEd’s former leadership,” Quetua said.

Vice President Sara Duterte, who previously served as DepEd Secretary, resigned in July 2024 and was succeeded by Angara.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/7/19/why-did-sara-duterte-resign-as-dep-ed-secretary

Teachers demand fair treatment, systemic reform

ACT emphasized that hardworking educators should not bear the consequences of systemic failures—especially when they have continued to serve under difficult conditions, marked by limited resources and increasing workloads.

“These failures are the direct result of prioritizing political accommodation over competence in appointing agency heads, despite their glaring record of incompetence and a militaristic approach to governance,” Quetua added.

The group is advocating for a comprehensive review of the government’s performance evaluation and incentive system.

ACT is also calling for equitable and adequate benefits across all government sectors; transparent and democratic consultations in system design; and the inclusion of public sector unions in evaluation processes.

A call for action and accountability

ACT is appealing to Secretary Angara to stand with teachers and urge the DepEd to file an appeal with the AO25 IATF.

“The current system forces teachers and government workers to perform beyond realistic capacity, despite inadequate working conditions, insufficient resources, low wages, and minimal benefits,” Quetua said.

“This is a clear reflection of how the government prioritizes austerity over workers’ welfare,” he added.

As the new school year approaches, ACT emphasized that educators deserve not only recognition, but also timely and fair compensation for their dedication and sacrifice.

READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2025/4/18/deped-class-opening-sy-2025-2026-june-16

“The government cannot continue demanding excellence from teachers while failing to provide the necessary support and resources,” Quetua said.

ACT underscored the need for a system that truly values education workers—ensuring fair compensation and incentives in recognition of their vital role in delivering quality education and contributing to national development.

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