Benjo Basas, National Chairperson, Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC). Photo by Arnel Tuazon

“While we are thankful for the P1, 000 Teachers’ Day incentive for we consider this as a birthday gift, we ask the DepEd to raise the level of our teachers by providing for long-term solutions to our socio-economic woes.” Benjo Basas, the National Chairperson of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said amidst the scheduled release of the P1, 000 World Teachers’ Day incentive for public school teachers.

The incentive which will be released not earlier than October 5 in time for the celebration of the World Teachers’ Day (WTD) is an unprecedented cash incentive which was announced last year by Sec. Leonor Briones and included in 2019 national budget.
According to Basas, the TDC appreciates such gesture but still challenge the DepEd leadership to be more supportive to its teachers and “implement the welfare provisions of Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, support us on our calls for a substantial pay increase like the P10, 000 across-the-board increase for teachers and DepEd employees and defend our teachers against the unjust policies of the GSIS.”

Last year, the TDC has staged a 12-day picket outside the gates of the DepEd Central Office in Pasig City to emphasize their Seven Demands which according to them are within the powers of the DepEd Secretary. The DepEd responded through several statements like the clarification of the working hours and overtime pay policy, hiring of non-teaching personnel to take on clerical tasks and providing for a free medical check-up for teachers. Basas, however, said that most of those listed in Seven Demands were left unanswered.

“We are still willing to discuss these matters to our Secretary to find a common solution. We are willing to help the Department in achieving solutions that will be beneficial both to the teachers and the department.” Basas explained.

The group has submitted a formal request for dialogue last August to air their concerns to the Secretary and still waiting for DepEd’s response until this moment.
“This P1, 000 may help us celebrate for a day, but our profession deserves respect every day.” Basas ended. #

Reference:
Benjo Basas, TDC Chair
09273356375

TEACHERS’ DIGNITY COALITION (TDC)Telephone No: (02) 6920-296/ 0917-11383364443 BCL Homes, Independence St., Gen.T. De Leon, Valenzuela City

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