Teachers get treats, tributes, P1,000 on World Teachers’ Day

In line with the celebration of World Teachers’ Day, teachers across the country on Wednesday received treats and tributes from their students and a P1,000 incentive from the government.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras,” teachers of Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary in Manila City were delighted at being told that P1,000 from the Department of Education was already in their bank accounts.

“Siyempre masayang-masaya rin [Of, course we are happy],” a teacher said.

The department said the money is in accordance with the DepEd Order No. 29 s. 2020.

“Yearly po nating binibigay ‘yan sa ating mga guro. Kaunting pasasalamat lang po ‘yan… graba rin po talaga ‘yung trabago nila sa pagbubuo sa ating mga learners para maging contributors ng ating bayan,” said DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa.

(We give that to our teachers every year. That's just a little thank you... their hard work in training our learners to become contributors to our country is really difficult.)

More than 925,000 public school teachers should receive the incentive. However, a teacher at a school in Quezon City said they have yet to receive it.

“Hindi pa namin natatanggap. Katunayan nga kapapasok lang ng liaison officer namin na dinala sa LandBank. Pero siguro by tomorrow, hopefully makukuha nila,” teacher Noel said.

(We haven't received it yet. In fact, our liaison officer just brought it to LandBank. But maybe by tomorrow, hopefully they will get it.)

In response, Poa said teachers should not worry. “Na-download na po ‘yung ating pondo. Kung mayroon man pong delay ay diyan lang po ‘yan ng payroll processing,” he added.

(The fund has been downloaded. If there is any delay, it is only with the payroll processing.)

Call for higher wages

While they thanked DepEd for the P1,000, Teachers’ Dignity Coalition president Benjo Basas said that the government should “take seriously” their calls of raising the monthly salary of educators.

“Mas gusto po sana talaga namin na seryosohin, na ikonsidera ng ating gobyerno ‘no, in particular ng DepEd, ‘yung pagtutulak para po sa mas mataas na sweldo, na regular na sweldo, buwan-buwan ng ating mga guro,” Basas stressed.

(We would really like to be taken seriously, and for the government, in particular by the DepEd, to consider the call for a higher monthly salary for our teachers.)

Treats and tributes for teachers

Students and parents of Canelar Elementary School in Zamboanga City prepared some gifts and food for the teachers.

“I was so overwhelmed, and it really brought tears into my eyes because I really felt valued and appreciated as a teacher,” said teacher Clarissa Galvez.

Meanwhile, policemen paid tribute to teachers in Lumot National High School in Cavinti, Laguna by serenading ang giving them flowers.

In Isabela National High School, teachers were entertained by their students during a program. The teachers likewise joined the learners in singing.

Moreover, teacher Jevy Rose from Magpet, Cotabato received praises and admiration when she unhesitatingly cared for her student’s baby during an exam. — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News