Legarda Cites Filipino Teachers’ Pivotal Role on World Teachers Day

Three-term Senator, now Deputy Speaker Loren Legarda underscored the pivotal role of Filipino Teachers as the country joins the celebration of World Teachers Day on October 5.

“Our teachers are the second parents of our children, dedicating their everyday lives to helping us mold the minds and character of the Filipino youth. They are among the most reliable public servants as they constantly participate in various activities of the national and local governments which contribute to the welfare of the community and the country.  Most notable of these are when they perform their function as poll workers during election period, and when they assist the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in gathering data even in the remotest places,” Legarda stressed.

Legarda noted that as educators, Filipino teachers already have heavy workload.  Based on the data of the Department of Education for school year 2020-2021, more than 800,000 teachers are serving over 26 million students, from primary and senior high school.

“As we pay tribute to our teachers, I stress once more the need to pursue the changes we eagerly want for our teachers because despite their significant contributions to the country, teachers, especially those in public schools, remain among the lowest paid government workers,” Legarda pointed out.

“Teachers are the heart of our educational system, heralded as the molders of our children’s future, and among the most prized leaders of the country. Yet, they have to make ends meet with the meager salary that they receive.  It is only fitting that they are respected, protected, and given the privileges that they deserve including better compensation packages and other incentives,” Legarda said.

After increasing the chalk allowance of teachers in the past years, from Php 1,500 in 2015 to Php 2,500 and Php 3,500 in 2017 and 2018, respectively, Legarda, former Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, sponsored the allocation of additional P800 million under the budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) in 2019 General Appropriations Act. Under this amendment, each public school teacher received for the first time a Php 1,000-incentive in line with the October 5-celebration of the World Teachers’ Day.

In the Philippine Senate, Legarda also filed the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers during the 17th Congress to provide security of tenure to teachers and for them to receive adequate remuneration and benefits commensurate to the demands of their job. Whereas, in the House of Representatives, Legarda co-authored the bill seeking to increase the Salary Grade level of teachers from the current Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15 for entry level. The former Senator is also pushing for the provision of additional internet allowance for teachers to provide them assistance to cope with the blended learning system due to restrictions of face-to-face learning amid the pandemic.

In Antique, her home province, Legarda initiated and funded the Education Training Capability Seminars for DepEd Supervisors, in partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP). The program aims to enhance the leadership and management competencies of the target participants, through a series of webinars and online training sessions, to achieve a modernized and adaptive education management and governance in the province.

“It is only fair that the men and women behind our successes receive the benefits and incentives they deserve. We must advance the social, economic, and professional status of our teachers, who face day-to-day challenges in our education system. Thus, the government, in turn, should guarantee them sufficient support through the increase in monthly salary, expansion of benefits and incentives, and better professional development programs for teachers,” Legarda said.

“We should never take for granted the difference our teachers created in our lives. A sincere appreciation of their work by sending our personal thanks and providing them adequate support and assistance would inspire them and uplift their morale,” Legarda concluded.

Press release from Salvacion Z. Perez.