Teachers, families join picnic on the last day of vacation

As a final farewell to vacation, some 50 teachers from Metro Manila, Cavite and Bulacan gather today in Luneta Park, Manila for a family day picnic organized by the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC). Teachers are expected to come with their families and bring their own food and picnic mats.

The activity aims to highlight the sacrifices of the Filipino teachers, who, despite low salaries and heavy workloads amidst the continuing shortages in public school resources and low education budget, selflessly offer themselves for the benefit of the Filipino children and the nation as a whole.

Thus, the teachers call on the government to prioritize their welfare especially their salaries so they would not need to seek for other sources of income and could focus on their school tasks and give more time for their families.

Benjo Basas, the group’s national chairperson said that while teachers find the government’s treatment on the sector wanting, they are still willing to commit themselves for to teach the Filipino children.

“It is because of these shortages and the low salaries of teachers that push us to take odd jobs on the side just to make ends meet, sometimes giving-up our quality time to prepare lessons and even the quality time for our very own families.” Basas explained.

Teachers ask President Aquino to increase education budget in order to hire more teachers, build more classrooms and purchase education materials for public schools. For their salary, teachers ask for a P9000.00 across the board increase for state education workers, which is a pending bill in both houses of Congress.

Lastly, they are also asking the Department of Education (DepEd) for the immediate release of the performance-based bonus (PBB) which supposedly due on the first quarter of this year. #

Reference:
Benjo Basas, TDC National Chairperson, 0920-5740241

Cases for interviews:
1. Marcelina Dumaging, a teacher of Potrero ES in Malabon City. A mother of 3, two are in college and the youngest is an incoming grade 8. Her husband is a driver. Ma’am Cely is a grade level leader, works 6 hours in classroom and tasked to perform other duties. She also accepts tutorials and offers Boardwalk and Avon products. (0939-3940141)

2. Emelenado Arevalo, a Mathematics master teacher of Bagong Barrio NHS in Calocan City. He has 3, two sons are in college while the youngest child is in grade 6. His wife is a field researcher who often comes home late. Sir Meng is currently taking his PhD for better opportunities. He is having a tutorial job for additional income. He is tasked to do household chores after school and tutorial works. (0928-2006828)

NEWS RELEASE
June 2, 2013

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