filipino teachers

Sen. Bam backs education reform agenda of teachers’ group, eyes more assistance for educators

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino  has committed to push for the welfare of the education sector, including salary increase to teachers and other education support personnel in public and private educational institutions.

Sen. Bam underscored his support by agreeing to a pledge of commitment with the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).  The senator was represented by his policy head Paola Deles while Joselyn Martinez signed in behalf of ACT as its national chairperson.

“Kasama tayo ng ACT sa isinusulong nilang mga reporma sa sektor ng edukasyon, kabilang na ang dagdag na benepisyo sa ating mga guro na napakalaki ng papel na ginagampanan sa pagpapalago ng lipunan,” said Sen. Bam, vice chairman of the Committee on Education.

Aside from the salary increase for teachers, Sen. Bam has promised to work with ACT for the improvement of the benefits package to secure the welfare of education workers and to ensure the sufficient fund for free education in all levels.

The two sides also agreed to work together to review of the education curriculum to make it attuned to the present needs and ensure the full exercise of rights of education workers.

During his time as chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam worked with ACT in the crafting of the Free College Law, which he pushed as principal sponsor.

“Ang pagpasa ng batas sa libreng kolehiyo ay una pa lang sa mga reporma na nais nating isulong. Kapag tayo’y nakabalik sa Senado, uunahin natin ang dagdag na benepisyo ng ating mga guro,” said Sen. Bam.

As part of the Makabayan bloc, ACT is one of the groups that expressed support behind the candidacy of Sen. Bam.

Earlier, Sen. Bam has committed to pursue the passage of his Trabaho Center Bill that will help ensure job availability for K-12 and college students once they receive their diploma.

Sen. Bam welcomes release of pay increase for gov’t workers, teachers

Re-electionist Sen. Bam Aquino welcomed President Duterte’s order to finally release the fourth and final tranche of the salary increase for government employees and public school teachers, saying the additional pay will help them cope with the high prices of food and other goods.

“Nagpapasalamat tayo sa Pangulo sa desisyon niyang ilabas ang huling bahagi ng pinakahihintay na salary increase ng mga manggagawa sa pamahalaan at ating mga guro,” said Sen. Bam.

“Malaking tulong ang umento sa sahod upang mabawasan ang pasanin ng mga empleyado ng pamahalaan sa mahal na presyo ng bilihin,” added Sen. Bam.

As early as January 9, 2019, Sen. Bam has been calling on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to use the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) to fund the fourth and final part of the salary hike

Sen. Bam maintained that the 2018 re-enacted budget provides for a MPBF, which can be used to fund authorized personnel and benefit items, including pay increases.

On January 14, 2019, Sen. Bam submitted Resolution No. 982 expressing the sense of the Senate that the DBM should use the MPBF to pay the final part of the salary hike for government workers. However, then Budget Sec. Ben Diokno did not heed the resolution, insisting that the move would be unconstitutional.

“Masaya tayo na nagbago ng isip ang DBM. Nakakapanghinayang lang na pinag-antay natin nang matagal ang mga empleyado ng pamahalaan at mga guro para sa dagdag-suweldo na matagal na dapat nilang napakinabangan,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam: Don’t leave teachers hanging

The hard work and invaluable contribution of public school teachers should be properly recognized as they are essential to the success of the 2019 elections, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

“Dapat bigyang halaga ang pagsisikap at paghihirap ng mga teacher sa halalan. Sa totoo lang po, sila ang tunay na bayani ng darating na eleksyon,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam issued the statement after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned that teachers who will serve in the 2019 elections won’t receive their honoraria in case of a re-enacted budget in 2019.

Sen. Bam, vice chairman of the Committee on Finance and member of the Senate bicameral conference committee on the proposed 2019 budget, said Congress is determined to pass the General Appropriations Act next week.

In case of a re-enacted budget in 2019, Sen. Bam said Congress can pass a supplemental budget for the payment of the teachers’ honorarium.

“Gagawin natin ang lahat para masigurong mababayaran ang ating mga guro sa kanilang trabaho sa darating na halalan. Biyan natin sila ng karampatang pagkilala at huwag ibitin ang mga kompensasyon at benepisyong itinakda ng batas para sa kanila,” said Sen. Bam.

“Sayang naman ang batas na ating isinulong kung hindi mapakikinabangan ng mga guro,” Sen. Bam added, referring to Republic Act 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act (ESRA) that he pushed as principal author in the 16th Congress.

The law increases the honorarium and other election service benefits and makes election service optional for public school teachers. It also increases honoraria for board of election inspector (BEI) and their support staff.

Under the law, compensation for BEI chairman will be increased to P6,000 from P3,000 while BEI members will receive P5,000 from P3,000.

From P3,000, DepEd supervisor/official will earn P4,000 while support staff will receive P2,000 from P1,500.

The teachers and all persons who rendered election service would also be entitled to a travel allowance of P1,000 each.

All government officials and employees serving as members of the electoral boards, DepEd supervisor/official and support staff will be given five days of service credit.

The ESRA also increases the death benefits from P200,000 to P500,000 and the medical assistance in such amount as may be “sufficient to cover for medical and hospitalization expenses until recovery” of injuries sustained while in the performance of election duties.

Sen. Bam to admin: Don’t delay salary increase of gov’t workers, public school teachers

The government should not delay the scheduled salary increase of its workers, especially public school teachers, as it could help them cope with the prevailing high prices of food and other goods, according to Sen. Bam Aquino.
 
“Sa gitna ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, hindi dapat mabinbin ang umento sa sweldo ng mga empleyado ng pamahalaan, lalo na ng ating public school teachers,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the scheduled release of the fourth tranche of the Salary Standardization Law in January 2019.
 
“Sa panahon ngayon kailangang kailangan ng mga guro natin ang ayuda para makaagapay sa hirap ng buhay,” added Sen. Bam, vice chairman of the Committee on Education.
 
Sen. Bam pointed out that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) could utilize the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) to ensure that government employees receive their salary increase on time.
 
“Huwag naman sanang ipagkait sa mga empleyado ng pamahalaan at sa mga guro itong agarang ayuda na matagal na nilang hinihiling at hinihintay,” Sen. Bam stressed.
 
During his term as chairman of the Committee on Education, Sen. Bam worked for the enactment of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act as the law’s principal sponsor.
 
Sen. Bam is also pushing for the passage of the Bawas Presyo sa Petrolyo Bill that he filed in May 2018 to help address the high prices of food and other goods.
 
The measure aims to fix the TRAIN Law by ensuring the suspension and rollback of excise tax on fuel once the country’s inflation rate exceeds the government’s target for three straight months.

Sen. Bam to champion 2 new reforms for Filipino teachers

In celebration of the World Teachers Day on October 5, Sen. Bam Aquino shared two new reforms to promote the welfare of teachers and recognize their contributions to the development of our country and the lives of students.

Sen. Bam will file a measure entitled National Teachers Day Act to make Oct. 5 a paid non-working holiday for all teachers.

“Non-stop ang trabaho ng ating mga guro. Sa dami ng kanilang ginagawa, para bang mayroon silang superpowers! But even superheroes need rest. Let’s give our teachers their own holiday so they can be appreciated and celebrated,” said Sen. Bam, adding that the measure is being pushed by the Teachers Dignity Coalition.

Sen. Bam is also set to submit the Teachers Compensation and Support Act to ensure reasonable working conditions and provide free legal assistance and free counselling services to educators.

“Sadly, marami pa ring guro ang nagrereklamo na maliit at hindi sapat ang natatanggap nilang suweldo sa pribadong paaralan kung ikukumpara sa pampublikong eskuwelahan,” said Sen. Bam.

“Tulungan at suportahan natin ang mga Filipino teachers. Siguraduhin natin na disente ang nakukuha nilang suweldo at patas ang suweldo at working conditions sa public at private schools,” added Sen. Bam, vice chairman of the Committee on Education.

The measure will also provide an education subsidy for qualified and financially disadvantaged teachers who want to pursue further education.

The Teachers Compensation and Support Act is being pushed by different stakeholders and organizations, which include: Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAPSCU), Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP), National Alliance of Private Schools Philippines, Inc. (NAPSPHIL), and the PEAC-Fund Assistance to Private Education (PEAC-FAPE).

Sen. Bam, for his part, has passed 27 laws including Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act making education free in public universities and colleges.

Sen. Bam on issues hounding teachers

Hinihimok natin ang DepEd at GSIS na tugunan ang lumalalang problema ng loans ng ating mga guro.

Kasama po ang mga guro sa napakaraming Pilipino na nalulunod na sa taas presyo. Bigyan naman natin sila ng ginhawa.

Sa aming pakikipag-diyalogo sa Teachers Dignity Coalition, nagkasundo kaming pagtulungan ang pagpapabuti ng kalagayan ng ating mga guro.

Habang palapit ang World Teachers’ Day sa October 5, pakinggan natin ang mga guro sa kanilang mga hinaing.

Oras nang ipakita natin na nakikinig ang gobyernong ito sa ating mga mahal na guro at handa tayong tumulong. 

Bam to DepEd: Ensure payment of teachers before Christmas

Sen. Bam Aquino called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure that it will be a merry Christmas for thousands of public school teachers by expediting the release of their unpaid salaries and other benefits.
 
“Nais ko pong ipakiusap na madaliin sana ang paglabas ng suweldo, bonus at iba pang benepisyo na nakalaan para sa ating mga guro upang maging maligaya ang pagdiriwang nila ng Pasko, kasama ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education, in his letter to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones dated December 2, 2016.
 
The senator made the move after receiving information that some teachers have yet to receive their salaries and bonuses. 
 
“Batid ko na ang iba ay kulang pa ng requirements ngunit marami sa kanila ay kumpleto na ang mga dokumento at naghihintay na lang sa paglabas ng suweldo,” said Sen. Bam, whose office has already helped some teachers obtain their salaries and bonuses.
 
“Lahat tayo ay naghahangad ng magandang Pasko para sa ating pamilya at mahal sa buhay. Wala nang gaganda pa kung maipagdiriwang natin ito nang walang anumang alalahanin sa ating isipan,” he added.
 
As chairman of the Committee on Education in the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam is pushing for the enactment of laws that will provide teachers with additional support and incentives.
 
According to Sen. Bam, these support and incentives will make teaching in public schools attractive for teachers.
 
The senator is currently working on a bill that will provide teachers relocation allowance, hazard pay and health care insurance.
 
Sen. Bam also filed Senate Bill No. 173 or the Free Education for Children of Public School Teachers Act.
 
If passed into law, free education in state universities nationwide will be given to children of public school teachers in all levels, whether they want to pursue baccalaureate degrees or short-term training course.
 
The measure will provide full subsidy program that covers 100 percent of the tuition fee and other miscellaneous expenses necessary upon the enrollment of the student in a state college or university.
 
Aside from additional benefits for teachers, Sen. Bam also wants to improve the working environment of public school teachers by addressing backlogs in classrooms, improving facilities, and giving all public schools access to the internet and online educational materials.

Bam: Provide support for public school teachers

Senator Bam Aquino wants to make teaching in public schools attractive by providing teachers with additional support and incentives.

“We have enough budget to hire additional teachers but many of them find teaching in public schools unattractive because of inadequate pay, lack of benefits, and a poor working environment,” said Sen. Bam, chairman of the Committee on Education.

Sen. Bam made the pronouncement for World Teachers Day, capping off National Teachers Month.

 The senator is currently working on a bill that will provide teachers relocation allowance, hazard pay and health care insurance.

 “This is especially relevant for teachers in far flung areas,” said Sen. Bam.

As key to the success of our education reforms and national development, Sen. Bam said teachers should be given additional support and proper compensation for our teachers while they shape the country’s future.

 Aside from additional benefits for teachers, Sen. Bam also wants to improve the working environment of public school teachers by addressing backlogs in classrooms, improving facilities, and giving all public schools access to the internet and online educational materials.

 Recently, Sen. Bam filed Senate Bill No. 173 or the Free Education for Children of Public School Teachers Act.

 If passed into law, free education in state universities nationwide will be given to children of public school teachers in all levels, whether they want to pursue baccalaureate degrees or short-term training course.

According to the measure, the full subsidy program shall cover 100 percent of the tuition fee and other miscellaneous expenses necessary upon the enrollment of the student in a state college or university.

Sen. Bam also filed the Nurse in Every Public School Act or Senate Bill No. 663 to support our public school teachers that are burdened with duties on top of teaching, such as administrative work and even caring for sick students.

Senate Bill No. 2365: Basic Education Teachers Pay Increase Bill of 2014

Accompanying the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, education reforms that were jumpstarted in recent years have been encouraging. These reforms sought to address backlogs in the building of classrooms and facilities, reorient systems for purchasing textbooks and other school supplies to curb corruption, and add teaching and non-teaching personnel to address the growing needs of schools. Truly, it is an exciting time for the Philippine public school system, with growing recognition that the Filipino student must be given the best education and learning experience to compete in the tough job market.

Unfortunately, our public school teachers, on whom we depend on to facilitate this experience, have been largely left out of these reforms. Even if education has the highest allocation in the national budget, teacher salaries have remained the same, forcing teachers to be creative in their monthly subsistence.

With the increasing cost of living, teachers and other school personnel must tighten their belts to get by on their modest salaries. They turn to loan agents, both formal and informal, to make ends meet. They go into debt in order to provide for their families’ needs, even to the extent that the entirety of their salary end up going to loan payments. This dire situation makes it unattractive for our brightest graduates to take on a public school education career. Furthermore, seasoned educators are forced to leave their vocation for practical reasons – to seek greener pastures in other industries or even abroad.

It is pivotal for national development to add support and proper compensation for our teachers, as they shape and form the country’s future. Additional benefits would make a public education career not only noble, but practical and sustainable as well. Moreover, it helps enable our best and the brightest teachers to stay true to their calling and make a significant contribution to nation-building.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

 

PDFicon  DOWNLOAD SBN 2365

Filed: August 19, 2014

 

 

 

 

Teachers in Perpetual Cycle of Debt! – Sen. Bam

Despite being hailed as modern-day heroes for inspiring and shaping the youth to become productive citizens of the country, teachers still experience financial woes because of their meager salaries and small take-home-pay.

“With the increasing cost of living, teachers tighten their belts to get by on their modest salaries. They turn to loan agents and loan sharks, government and private, to make ends meet,” said Senator Bam Aquino.

“Worse, come pay day, they have little income to take home because they have automatic deductions from loans and other payments, leaving them little for their daily sustenance,” the senator added, “which forces them to borrow again and having them buried neck-deep in debt.”

Aquino said many teachers find creative means to augment their meager take-home pay by selling meat, beauty and health products.

“How can these critical players in nation building impact the next generation if they are bombarded with financial woes,” Aquino emphasized.

To address this problem, Aquino has filed a bill that will set a minimum net take-home pay for teachers and other government employees.

“This bill seeks to ensure that teachers and other government employees are able to meet their families’ basic needs and reduce their need to take on debts,” Aquino said of his Senate Bill No. 2333.

 Under the bill, teachers and other government workers will be assured of a take-home pay of at least 30 percent of their monthly salary.

“Setting a minimum take-home amount allows an appropriate control for teachers to be able to properly budget for their households expenses,” he said.

Aquino said the measure contributes in the efforts of leaving no one behind, especially the country’s public servants, in the progress and development of the country.

Under the measure, authorized deductions are prioritized in the event that total authorized deductions will reduce the government employee’s mandatory minimum monthly take-home pay.

Any deficiency in loan payments of government employees as a result of the mandatory minimum take-home pay may be addressed through direct payment arrangements to be voluntarily made by the employee to the lending institutions.

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