TDC Benjo, Interviewed for Lack of Guidance Counselors, Nurses

Nakapanayam ng ABS-CBN's Reporter Jasmin Romero si Teachers' Dignity Coalition National Chair Benjo Basas noong July 13, 2018 ukol sa kawalan ng registered guidance counselors and professional nurses or medical workers ang mga pampublikong paaralan sa bansa. Kasama rin ang epekto nito sa mga pampublikong mag-aaral.

Isa kasing problema ang mataas na kwalipikasyon para maging isang guidance counselor na hindi ma-comply ng nakararami subalit maliit lamang ang sahod na katumbas ng Teacher 1. Ayon kay TDC National Chair Basas, marapat na ma-amend ang batas para rito upang maisa-ayos ang dapat maayos.

Dagdag ni Basas, ang mga guro ay eksperto sa pagtuturo at hindi sa trabaho ng mga guidance counselor at nurse na kayang solusyunan ang pangangailangan ng mga mag-aaral na labas sa kakayanan ng mga guro. 

Base sa mga sumbong ng ilang mga guro, karaniwang inilalagay kasi na guidance counselor ang mga guro sa EsP Department at school nurse naman ay nanggagaling sa MAPEH Department o sino mang matipuhang guro na ilagay doon. Anila, mismatch ang nangyayari dahil minsan ay kung sino lamang ang nailalagay na wala namang kaalaman sa posisyon.

Malaking bagay umano ang magkaroon ng guidance counselor at nurse sa school upang ma-address at masolusyunan ang pangangailangan ng mga mag-aaral. Hindi kasi mabibigyang lunas ang tunay na problema ng bata kung hindi nalalaman at nagagamot ang tunay nitong problema.

ABAD Computation is NO DIOK!

Hindi raw prayoridad ng gubyerno ang umento sa sahod ng mga guro sabi ni DBM Secretary Ben Diokno. Aba, kahit pa sinabi ni Pangulong Digong? Marunong pa si Diokno sa kanyang Boss. Sinabi na ng pangulo na pag-aralan ang pagbibigay ng umento, kaya yun ang dapat niyang gawin. Hindi naman sinabing ngayon na o bukas, maaring sa susunod na taon. Wag lang namang sabihing hindi priority.

Parang ansakit bes eh. Teacher tapos hindi priority. Eh sino o ano ang priority?

Sir Diokno, is it a joke? Pinaghintay niyo na kami. Sanay naman kaming maghintay eh, kasi nga teacher kami. Mahaba ang pasensiya namin, kasi nga teacher kami. Matiyaga kami, kasi nga teacher kami. Maunawain kami, kasi nga teacher kami. Higit sa lahat, mabait kaming mangusap, kasi nga, teacher kami.

Pero bakit naman po ganyan kayo, eh di ba teacher din kayo? Sana nauunawaan niyo kami. Alam niyo naman ang sakripisyo ng mga guro araw-araw. Maliban sa sarili at pamilya, marami pa kaming iniintindi. Pati pambili ng mga gamit sa pagtuturo galing sa aming bulsa. Pambili ng papel, cartolina, crayola, bond paper atbp. Pang-print ng materials. Pambayad sa computer shop o pre-paid pocket wifi.

Ipinangungutang namin ang hulugang laptop at printer. Minsan pati pangkain ng mga mag-aaral sagot pa ni teacher. Ganyan ang buhay namin araw-araw, kasi nga teacher kami.

Kaya po baon na rin kami sa utang. Daming gastusin, walang panggastos.

Ah tungkol naman po sa narinig ko sa radio, yung sinasabi niyong P26,000 na ang average monthly earnings namin, luh siya oh. Saan niyo naman po nakuha yan? Bakit naman bumaba pa sa estimate niyo nung isang taon? Eh kanyo sa interview ni Pia Hontiveros last year P27,000 na kami nung 2017? Bakit ngayon bumaba pa? Yan ang problema sa DBM computation, hindi kasi totoo at ginaya lang sa dating Secretary Butch Abad. Kaya nga po A BAD computation ang tawag namin diyan. Yung bang isinasama sa kuwenta lahat ng bonus at allowance sa buong taon tapos ang sum ay idi-divide sa 12 months. Ayun, P26K a month nga. Pero kung totoong monthly yan, dapat buwan-buwan kaming may PBB, PEI, Clothing at chalk allowance di ba?

Sir iginagalang namin kayo sa maraming dahilan, una mas matanda kayo sa marami sa amin,  tapos mataas ang puwesto niyo sa gobyerno, tapos mataas ang pinag-aralan niyo sa economics, tapos alter ego pa kayo ng pangulo. Most of all, teacher din po kayo, di Prof. Diokno?

Kaya sir, kaunting sensitivity naman sa mga kapwa mo teacher at government servants. Usap tayo. Mukhang kailangan niyong maintindihan kung saan nanggagaling ang hugot namin. Baka kasi kung saan-saan at kung kani-kanino kayo nakikinig. Dapat sa amin kayo makinig, sa mga teacher.

Huwag naman po sanang teacher na lang ang laging isasakripisyo. Teacher na lang ang laging maiiwan. Teacher na lang ang laging magtitiis. Teacher na lang ang laging maghihintay. Dahil ba kasi teacher kami?

Hindi dapat ganito ang buhay namin, kasi nga teacher kami. Dapat kasama kami sa priority, kasi nga teacher kami.

#buhayguro

#teachersdignity

#JokeNiDiokno

#SalaryIncrease

#P10kIncrease

Teachers Welcome Palace Pronouncement of Pay Increase

Teachers welcome Malacanang pronouncement yesterday that the president is planning to double their entry-level salary.

"We welcome this statement from Malacanang and we hope that the president will use his influence and power to make this statement a reality." Said Benjo Basas, National Chairperson of the Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC).

According to the group, teachers are waiting for this since President Duterte assumed office in 2016, with increase in salary of teachers among his promises.

"Recognizing the intricacies of governance, our teachers patiently waited for the promised enhancement of our salaries and benefits, while obviously, our brothers and sisters in the uniformed service were given priority." Basas addded referring to the salary increase for military and police that took effect this January.

The TDC has been pushing for the enactment of the bill that would grant P10, 000 across-the-board increase in salaries of governmet teachers, among other benefits.

"For the longest time, our calls for a just compensation and treatment commensurate to our role in society have been neglected by the previous administrations. We hope that this time, things would really change." Basas lamented.

TDC in the recent past has staged series of protest actions and artistic expressions to dramatize the socio-economic situation of teachers aimed to pressure the government to heed their calls for higher salaries.

"We are open to discussions if the president finds it necessary. We hope that Madam Liling Briones, our secretary will help us in this endeavor." Basas ended.# January 10, 2018

Thirty Nine

Benjo Basas

Teachers Dignity Coalition

National Chairman

Kape tayo! Ngayon ang huli kong birthday bago mag-kuwarenta anyos. Mag-aapat na dekada na pala ako sa mundo. Habang nagkakape ako ay naisip kong balikan ang una kong dekada, ang 1979 hanggang 1990.

Dekada 80 ako unang nag-birthday, 1980 ang first birthday ko. Sa dekada ring ito unang nag-aral- kinder at elementary. Noong kinder, 5 years old ako, parang limang ulit lang ako inihatid ng Nanay ko sa Friendship School, medyo malayo sa amin, lakad lang. Sa elementary naman ay na-enjoy ko ang pagiging bata. Masaya sa school, maraming kaibigan, maraming matututunan. Uso pa ang corporal punishment, pag makulit ka, walang assignment, maingay sa klase o nakikipag-away- palo o pingot ka kay teacher. Wala pang Child Protection Policy ang DECS (wala pang DepEd eh), pag pinalo ka ni teacher at nalaman ng Nanay mo, magagalit ang Nanay, hindi kay teacher kundi sa iyo. Kaya palo ka uli pag-uwi mo. Masaya ang karanasan ko sa pag-aaral. Dahil sa pag-aaral natutunan ko rin ang ilang kalokohan- magmura, magsugal ng ending, digit at text pera-pera. Natuto rin ako makipagsuntukan. Pag nagkaasaran sa school, may usapan na pag-uwi ay suntukan sa likod ng simbahan. Salamat talaga Sta. Quiteria Elementary School!

Salat at kapos, ganun ang buhay, gayunman, masaya ang aking kabataan. Naranasan ko pa ang totoong laro- tumbang preso, luksong tinik, luksong baka, patintero, siyato, agawan base, teks, holen (plesing ang tawag sa laro ng holen kung saan may taya sa loob ng isang bilog na guhit, sa lupa ito nilalaro, hindi puwede sa damo o semento. Kung bakit plesing, ewan ko.) at tatsing (parang plesing pero laruan o pera ang taya). Nakaranas din akong maligo sa tibagan, manghuli ng talangka sa bukid, mamingwit ng palaka, umakyat at mamitas ng bayabas ng kapitbahay nang hindi nila alam. Lahat yan ay sa Sta. Quiteria nangyari, ang iba sa Ugong, Tullahan River lang kasi ang pagitan ng Caloocan at Valenzuela, tanawan lang rin at minsan sigawan makakakuwetuhan mo na ang nasa ibayo. Oo, ganun pa ang itsura ng Sta. Quiteria at Ugong noon, may mga bukid, may mga sapa at maraming kalabaw, semi-rural (hindi semi-feudal ha).

Batang-bata pa ako noong Dekada 80, ang alam ko lang magulo sa Pilipinas. Nakikita sa balita at naririnig sa usap-usapan ng matatanda. May senador na pinatay sa airport, tapos may mga protesta. Tapos may eleksiyon na ramdam ko ang tensiyon- Namfrel volunteers yata ang mga magulang ko noon. Tapos nangyari yung sa EDSA, walang pasok, matagal. Nung lumaon saka ko lamang naunawaan  na ang bansa pala ay nasa ilalim ng diktadurya, walang demokrasya, may digmaan sa Mindanao at kanayunan at baon sa utang. Tahasan ang pandarambong at paglabag sa karapatan ng taumbayan. Bandang huli, nagpalit ng presidente at konstitusyon. Hindi naman natigil ang gulo, baon pa rin sa utang at laganap pa rin ang kahirapan.

Dekada 80 rin nung sumikat ang That’s Enteratinment ni Kuya Germs, dito nagsimula ang halos lahat ng malalaking artista ng ating henerasyon- Gino Padilla, Jaime Garchitorena, Lilet, Caselyn Francisco at Billy Joe Crawford. Pumunta rin dito at nag-concert ang Menudo, ang orig boy band na tinitilian ng mga teenager sa buong mundo na galing pa sa Puerto Rico. Nagsimula ang TV Patrol kasama ni Kabayang Noli sina Mel Tiangco, Angelique Lazo at Kiko Evangelista at may portion si Ernie Baron. Lalo pang sumikat ang ABS-CBN, sinuwerte sila sa Year of the Dragon, 1988 yun. Ang balita sa gabi ay puro English, walang Tagalog. Pati ang cartoons ay hindi naman dubbed sa Tagalog kadalasan. Sumikat din ang Bioman at Shaider at ibinalik ang Voltes V at Daimos. Ang Eat Bulaga ay nasa Channel 9 pa, pati ang John en Marsha nina Dolphy at Nida Blanca at Superstar ni Nora. Si Vilma naman ay nasa Channel 7 at si Sharon ay sa Channel 2, gayundin ang drama show ni Maricel. Namamayagpag din ang Channel 13 sa big time shows gaya ng Iskul Bukol, Ok ka Fairy ko, TODAS at Sic o’clock News, dito rin nagsimula ang show ni mega bago lumipat sa dos. Hindi rin uso ang network war at makikita mo sa iba’t ibang channel ang mga artista, maraming channel kang mapagpipilian, hindi gaya ngayon na halos dalawa lang.

Naglabasan na rin ang mga instant noodles- Maggi, Nissin’s at Payless (hindi yung tindahan ng sapatos sa Venice). May kapeng barako pa sa tindahan na mabibili ka. Ang babolgam natin ay Bazooka na palolobohin mo nang malaki. May maliit na comics ang Bazooka sa balot niya na mayroong jokes, English din. Star margarine ang paborito nating palaman, minsan inihahalo rin sa mainit na kanin at may star rice ka na, aasang tatangkad ka. Naaalala ko rin ang mga tsibog nung bata ako- tira-tira, itlog ng butiki, zeb-zeb, pompoms at yung tsitsiryang inilalagay sa diyaryo na ibibigay sa iyo ng mamang may dalang potpot kapalit ng bote mo. Ang bigas ay sa papel inilalagay, hindi sa plastic. Nagsimula nang sumikat ang Jollibee, pero mas sikat ang Cindy’s, Tropical Hut at Scott Burger, yung may estatwa ng batang may pasang hamburger (sikat talaga kasi ang tag line, sa Scott kayo’y laging sikat).

Wala pang flyover sa EDSA at hindi pa matrapik. LRT line 1 pa lang ang nagagamit at ang PNR ay tumatakbo hanggang Kabikulan, buhay pa rin ang istasyon sa Caloocan. North Diversion Road ang tawag sa NLEX at South Superhighway naman sa SLEX. Ang biyahe ng bus na Novaliches-Baclaran ay sa Quirino Highway at Balintawak ang daan. Kung magta-taxi ka, may option na aircon at non-aircon. Mayayaman lang ang may telepono at PLDT lang ang nagseserbisyo, ni sa hinagap ay walang nag-akalang magkakaroon ng celfone ang lahat ng tao.

Ganyan ako pinalaki ng Dekada 80. Simple. Masaya. Marami pang kuwentong babalikan sa dekadang ito, hindi lang ako, kundi lahat tayong naranasan pa ang totoong kapaligiran, bago sakupin ng Facebook ang ating buhay at dalhin tayo sa mundong virtual.#

Teachers Seek for Government Medical Assistance

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) today revealed that one of the principal factors why teachers borrow money is because the government does not have medical assistance to them despite the mandate of a law.

“Under the law, the government is responsible to maintain teachers’ health thru a compulsory, annual and free medical examination. And if the examination found that a teacher needs to undergo medication or hospitalization, again it should be at the expense of the government.” Said Benjo Basas, TDC national chairperson quoting Section 22 of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670), a law enacted in 1966.

The group argued that teachers, aside from daily expenses for their family and teaching aids are also burdened by expenses for their medical needs and one of them is the annual medical check-up which should be given free for all teachers. However, despite the explicit provision of the law, teachers themselves pay for these tests.

“One of the reasons why teachers borrow money is the emergency medical need for themselves and their family members. They run to loan agencies especially if they have no extra income or savings from their meager salaries. Then, it would be difficult for them to free themselves from chains of debt.” Basas lamented.

Basas added that there are some conditions that would really make things worse like if the teacher needs to be confined in a hospital for weeks or if they have to undergo chemotherapy, dialysis or major operations due to heart or lung conditions or complications due to pregnancy, which according to him cost amount that teachers can never afford.

Basas cited the case of Jennifer Nague De Jesus, a teacher of San Vicente Elementary School in San Pedro City, Laguna since 2007. She was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in year 2012 and was forced to leave her job for two years to undergo regular hemodialysis from 2013. During the period that she cannot report for work, she has no income and received no assistance from the government, except for quarterly pledge of P3, 000 from her mayor. Presently, she is back to teaching but still needs to undergo dialysis sessions two times a week that costs her not less than P4, 000, because she has consumed her free sessions from Philhealth.

“Where could Teacher Jennifer possibly get that amount if she will not run to loan agencies for fast cash? But at the end of the day, where she will get the money to pay for these loans? Clearly, she borrowed money, literally to live.” Basas added.

Indeed, Jennifer suffered compounded interests of loans from a private bank. In the case of GSIS, she has no record of payment, both for premiums and loans for almost four years, another predicament she will confront in the near future.

Basas actually said that Jennifer may have been more fortunate than others. For instance, he cited the case of a teacher in Caloocan City who died in a private hospital early last year, but because the family lacks money to settle the bills, her body was seemingly made hostage for several weeks. Another teacher from Malabon gave birth to her first baby in a lying-in clinic and had continuous bleeding, then was rushed to a private hospital where she suffered a state of comatose for more than a week. The family, whose income depends mainly on her, solicited funds from politicians and guarantee letters from PCSO to pay for the bills. The poor teacher did not make it, she died few days before Christmas of 2016.

These incidents prompted the TDC to ask the DepEd to establish a support mechanism thru a mutual aid and benefit system that would be readily available to all teachers in need, on top of the immediate implementation of Sections 22 of the Magna Carta.

The TDC is very optimistic though that the DepEd would act favorably on both matters after they have discussed them with Sec. Leoner Briones herself in a dialogue with the TDC leaders held during the National Summit of Teachers in Taguig City last November 17. Briones gave her initial commitment and said that the DepEd will consider increasing the school funds (MOOE) to cover free annual medical check-up for all teachers. As to the mutual benefit system proposal of the TDC, the DepEd said this may be included in the services of the DepEd Provident Fund, which now is limited to loans. The Secretary said they would immediately study legalities to enable them to grant these benefits.

“We appreciate these pronouncements from our Secretary and we would wait for them to be translated in policies.” Basas ended. #

TEACHERS IN YOLANDA AREA STILL WAITING FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER ASSISTANCE

November 7, 2017

Four years after the devastating typhoon hit Visayas provinces; teachers have yet to receive the promised emergency shelter assistance (ESA).  This was revealed by the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) in a forum in Quezon City today. 

“We received reports that the full amount for emergency shelter assistance for most of the teachers especially in Tacloban City and Leyte has not been released as of the moment. The amount covers the government employees whose houses have been declared either fully or partially damaged.”  Benjo Basas, the group’s chairperson said.

The group also said that most of the teachers who received the partial amount were asked to liquidate the full as a pre-requisite for full release.  In some cases, in Eastern Visayas State University for instance, the administration initiated the provision of financial assistance to its employees but later on, the COA ordered them to return the funds. Meanwhile most of the teachers who are beneficiaries of housing projects have not been moved to their respective units.

TDC Rejoinders to Sec. BRIONES

Teachers’ Dignity Coalition
“Unity of Teachers to Regain the Dignity of Teaching Profession”
SEC Registration Number: CN 2007-10645
Diam cor. Gen. T. De Leon, Valenzuela City
Telefax (02)4446564 • Mobile: 0916-6126739
Email: teachersdignity@yahoo.com.ph • Website: http://www.teachersdignity.com/


MEDIA RELEASE
October 24, 2017

   TDC’s Rejoinder to Sec. Briones*

*Sec. Leonor Magtolis-Briones’ reaction on the earlier statements from TDC and other groups on the matter of the abrupt deductions made by the DepEd in their salaries was published in a news report from the Manila Bulletin, October 24, 2017 quoting her in a forum with press people, Kapihan sa Manila, October 23

SLMB: “Teachers, themselves, know that they are over borrowing and they know that they’re at their limits and that the only reason they get P4,000 net is the GSIS loans are not being deducted,” Briones, Professor Emeritus, National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines, explained.

TDC: If a teacher reached the limits, then why the DepEd thru the respective Authorized Approving Officers (AAO) of the field offices allowed and approved the loan application? The pay slip of a loan applicant will be assessed and the AAO will determine if the teacher or any borrower has the capacity to pay the loan amortization. That means if the monthly salary of a teacher will be reduced to less than the mandated NTHP, then it should not be approved. The DepEd thru its RPSUs are tasked to collect the monthly loan amortization for the GSIS and for other PLIs, then they are at fault of the collections were not made.

Clearly it is a violation of the DepEd’s own rulesstipulated in DepEd Order No. 38 itself:
“The DepEd Authorized Approving Officers (AAOs) must be stringent in certifying or providing confirmation with the GSIS on the NTHP of their DepEd personnel.  The AAOs shall educate the DepEd personnel on the consequences of applying for loans with various private lending institutions (PLIs) without considering their capacity to pay.  Every day of delay on payment of loans shall mean imposition of penalties and accrued interests by the PLIs and the GSIS.
The role of the AAO for GSIS loans is to provide confirmation that DepEd borrowers have sufficient NTHP before their respective loans are granted by the GSIS”
SLMB: Contrary to TDC’s claims, Briones said teachers are informed way before collection. ”The circular is widely circulated and for both PLIs and GSIS, they have authorized DepEd to allow the deductions,” she said.

TDC: The DepEd Order No. 38 released in July 31 of this year, while circulated on the widely was never explained to the us. The Order is loaded with technicalities- both terms and procedures.

SLMB: GSIS, Briones bared is “complaining and are threatening to sue us and the teachers” if the unpaid amount of loans are not settled. “This is a challenge that we need to solve because we will be held liable,” she explained.
To date, Briones said DepEd has about 23,000 teachers that are about to retire and will not get any amount after because their GSIS loans are not being deducted. “Teachers don’t realize that these interest rates are being compounded,” Briones noted.

TDC: Again, the Secretary should ask herself, who is to blame? Teachers are tasked to teach but those who have loans in the GSIS have obligation to pay and that payment should be made by the DepEd, the agency of teachers tasked to collect money and remit the same to the GSIS. Why should teachers be penalized?
SLMB: For Briones, the best long-term solution to teachers’ over-borrowing is teaching teachers financial literacy. “We really have to institute financial literacy among our teachers,” she stressed. Teachers have to “make financial choices amongst themselves…it’s not as if the Department has created this problem and they are aware of this problem,” she ended.
TDC: We recognize the need for financial literacy program and, as we have earlier stated, we are willing to cooperate with the DepEd for this objective. However, how could one manege finances if he has none? The best solution is in the Secretary herself. She is mandated by law to propose funding for the welfare provisions of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers and provide for overtime pay, free health services, study leave with pay, cost of living allowances, higher salary grade, among other benegits. Yet, the Secretary did not perform her mandated duties. Worse, she stated in several occasions that teachers are not underpaid and underappreciated. If so, we will not need to pawn our ATM cards to make ends meet. We borrow because the salaries we are getting are simply not enough for a decent living.

We hope the Secretary will join us in our calls for a P10,000 across the board increase for tecahers and DepEd personnel.#
--------------------
Reference:
Benjo Basas
National Chairperson
09273356375

https://news.mb.com.ph/2017/10/24/teachers-decry-loan-deductions-from-salaries/

Wala kaming Sinahod?

ITO PO ANG SAGOT NG TDC SA ISYU NA YAN, ANG ACTUAL CONTENT NG SULAT NATIN KAY SEC. BRIONES NA NAIPADALA NGAYON LANG SA CENTRAL OFFICE:

------------------------

22 October 2017

DR. LEONOR MAGTOLIS-BRIONES

Secretary 

Department of Education

DepEd Complex, Pasig City

 

Greetings of peace!

Madam;

We would like to bring to your attention the urgent issue in the field in relation to the deductions made by the Department of Education (DepEd) thru the respective Regional Payroll Services Units (RPSU) for the salary of DepEd teachers for the month of October. This, according to our initial inquiries is in accordance with the DepEd Order No. 28, s. 2017 (Further Clarifications to DepEd Order Nos. 12 and 27, S. 2017 - Implementation of P4,000.00 Net Take Home Pay for Department of Education Personnel), which is based on Sec. 47 of the General Provisions of General Appropriations Act of 2017. Many teachers were shocked upon learning that the salaries they received for this month were below the net take-home pay of P4, 000.00, some received only P600 pesos. 

Madam, it is unimaginable that a teachers’ family will be able to live on a P600.00 budget for a month. While we recognize that teachers, or any borrower at that, have their obligations to the lending institutions, it is also clear in the rules that the DepEd is duty bound to ensure that teachers are eligible for the loans. Furthermore, the DepEd, thru the respective RPSUs has the obligation to effect the deductions for loan amortization as stipulated in the loan forms and even in the agreement of the DepEd with the private lending institutions (PLIs).  As to the public loan facilities under GSIS or HMDF or even DepEd Provident Fund, it is expected that the deductions for these shall be prioritized by the DepEd. Yet in many cases, deductions for PLIs were made ahead of the GSIS deductions, which is a violation of rules. Clearly these violations resulted to the present dilemma where teachers are deeply fallen in debt because of the compounded interests charged against them both by the PLIs and government loan facilities. 

Teachers have nothing to do with the implementation of these policies and they should not be penalized for others’ fault. This recent deliberate deductions below the NTHP is another big blow to the teachers and their families who are highly dependent on their minimum take-home pay of P4, 000.00 for a month of living. Given this situation, teachers will now look for alternatives to make ends meet, one of them obviously is again to plead to loan sharks which will perpetuate and worsen their already dismal economic situation. 

Madam, we recognize that there is a problem on the mindset of most of our employees in relation with financial management, but we also believe that this abrupt and unforeseen solution of the DepEd creates more problems than solution. May we appeal for your consideration to immediately suspend the implementation of the DepEd Order No. 38, s. 2017 and initiate the widest consultation possible so that we will all be able to discuss the situation in the field and come up with a better solution.

Finally, we are very much willing to collaborate with the DepEd management to promote and strengthen financial literacy for our employees.  But most of all, please be one with us in our struggle for a better compensation package specifically the P10, 000 across the board increase in the salaries of teachers and DepEd employees. 

  

Thank you very much! 

Respectfully yours, 

BENJO G. BASAS

National Chairperson

Teachers are Underpaid and Underappreciated

YES MADAM SECRETARY,
TEACHERS ARE UNDERPAID AND UNDERAPPRECIATED
(In response to Secretary Briones’ statement)

Madam Secretary, with due respect, you got the wrong perception.

Yes, public school teachers are underpaid and underappreciated and you cannot just cite the 'migration' of private school teachers to public school system to prove your theory. The type of private schools that you are talking about are mostly violating the labor laws by giving their teachers heavy workloads yet very low salaries and almost no chance for job security, which of course, worse than the situation in public schools.

The entry-level basic salary is only P19, 600 subject to mandatory deductions. Allowances on top of it are also being paid to all government workers, not exclusively for teacher. We seem to have 'two month-paid summer vacation leave' but most of the time, these days are also consumed for our school tasks- closing activities in April and preparation for school opening in May. And may we remind you that unlike all other civil servants, teachers are teachers 24/7, the work does not stop when the bell rang. We take our tasks home, beyond 6 or 8 hours. And again, unlike other government workers, we are not entitled to sick or vacation leave. The two month-vacation myth is not even a salary, it is called proportional vacation pay and will be reduced every time we failed to report to work any day from June 1 to March 30, even for a valid reason of health.

The still unaccounted missing teachers in Marawi and the trauma that our colleagues have experienced in Pigkawayan are but a few examples that teachers, like soldiers, policemen and nurses are also in the frontlines during the calamities, even in armed conflicts.

Madam secretary, since the very first that you sit as the Secretary of Education, we anticipate reforms in the department and in the entire education sector. And to give you an idea, the single most important reform that you can bring is to make the lives of teachers better. No education reform initiative could reach its goals if we will not put the welfare of teachers in paramount consideration.

Yes madam, we, your public school teachers are underpaid and underappreciated.

Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC)
June 22, 2017

_________
Reference:
Benjo Basas

Benjo Basas on the Tagged Video

Narito ang sagot ni Teachers' Dignity Coalition / Ating Guro Partylist First Nominee Benjo Basas ukol sa kumalat na video na kinasangkutan ng guro ng Baesa High School sa kanyang estudyante kung saan siya ay naka-TAG kamakailan.

"Sa FB friends ko sa dalawang accounts, tungkol sa tagged video sa akin nitong mga nkalipas na araw, pasensiya na at agad kong inalis iyon.

(PS-Paunang Sabi, ngayong umaga ay may interview din ako sa GMA-7 pero tungkol naman ito sa election duty ng public school teacher at malayung-malayo sa usaping ito.)

Biyernes nang may mag-pm sa akin sa Benjo Ating Guro Basas ukol sa video na hindi ko naman agad napanood dahil sa cp lang ito pumasok. Gayunman, agad kong inalis ang video na tagged sa akin ng isa sa mga alumni noong 90s. Sabado ay may magkasunod na tag sa akin, again mula sa mga alumni noong 90s din na agad ko ring inalis (ang hindi ko naialis agad ay yung tagged sa Ser Benjo AtingGuro Basas, ang account ko na para sa mga batang friends at Baesa HS alumni). Linggo nang umaga ng tawagan ako ng GMA 7 at humingi ng reaksiyon, nag-decline ako dahil una hindi ko pa napapanood ang video. Ikalawa parang mahirap magbigay ng komentaryo sa isang bagay na napakalapit sa iyo. Naunawaan naman ako ng reporter bagamat muli niya akong kinumbinsi early afternoon, muli akong tumanggi. Late afternoon ng ako’y pabiyahe papuntang San Rafael, Bulacan ay muli siyang tumawag at hihingin na lamang umano ang aking reaksiyon, generally sa ganitong mga insidente bilang TDC Chair, nagpaunlak ako ng panayam sa telepono (na tila hindi naman lumabas) upang maipahayag ang paggigiit ng due process sa mga ganitong kasong kinasasangkutan ng mga guro. Pagkatapos lamang nito ay saka ko napanood ang video sa magandang celfone ng isang kasama sa Bulacan. Gabi naman nang may tumawag sa akin na opisyal ng DepEd at humihingi sa akin ng detalye na hindi ko naman kayang naibigay. Yun ang pagkakataon na nag-text ako sa aking principal upang tumawag sana sa kanya, pero hindi rin kami nagkausap.

Narito ang aking dahilan kung bakit ko ito agad na inalis:

1. Ang pananatili nito sa aking profile ay nangangahulugan ng consent sa video tagged. At kung magkagayon, magiging conflict ito sa aking kasalukuyang trabaho- hindi pa bilang teacher sa Baesa HS kundi bilang National Chairman ng Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), organisasyong may panatang ipagtanggol ang karapatan ng mga guro. Bagamat ang pag-upload sa nasabing video ay isang paraan ng pagresolba sa isyu, ito’y hindi naayon sa due process. Hindi sa ipinagtatanggol ko ang guro na nasa video, subalit may mga establisadong panuntunan ang DepEd na dapat sinusunod sa mga ganitong insidente.

2. Habang kumakalat ang video ay lalong nagiging maselan ito hindi lang para sa guro kundi pati na rin sa bata o mga batang sangkot. Hindi naman maayo na nasa aking account ang mga ganitong video lalo ngayong ipinagdiriwang pa naman natin ang National Teachers’ Month at World Teachers’ Day sa October 5. 

Umaasa ako sa pagtatapos ng usaping ito sa lalong madaling panahon.

HAPPY TEACHERS’ DAY!

-BENJO BASAS

TDC / ATING GURO FIRST NOMINEE"

Sa video kasing kumalat, nakunang maingay ang mga estudyante sa classroom (nagtetext, susulat / drawing ng bagay sa blackboard, naghaharutan at iba) at sa kasalukuyang pag-iingay ay biglang pumasok ang isang babae na mukhang nanenermon at pinuntahan ang dalawang lalaking student sa kaliwang bahagi sa bandang dulo ng upuan. Hindi naman nabanggit kung ano ang ginagawa ni hindi rin nakunan ng video ang ginagawa ng dalawa. Sa galit ng babae, nagbabala ito na gagamit ng masamang salita hanggang marinig mula sa kanyang bibig ito... sabi niya, "gusto mo bang marinig sa mga guro niyong magmumura? putang-ina niyo!... matapos yun ay parang may hinawakan siya sa bandang balikat. Patuloy pa rin ang kanyang panenermon hanggang matapos ang video.

Habang nangyayari ang insidente ay tila hindi tinatablan ang mga estudyante dun, parang normal lang ang ganoong proseso sa kanila... ni hindi sila natitinag sa sermon? ganyan naba ang estudyante ngayon? imbes na magbasa ng kanilang libro o anumang sulatin para matuto e nagkukwentuhan? then kapag nanenermon ang guro o makapagbitaw ng masakit na salita e ipapahiya sa madla? dapat ang kinakasuhan dito e yung nag-upload ng video... hindi man lang niya naisip na mapapahiya ang babae lalo't kung guro man yun... ni hindi naisip ng nagupload ng video na may kalakip na kaso ang ginawa niya? 

Hindi rin naman tama ang ginawa ng guro sa insidente, mas maige na palampasin muna niya ang kanyang galit bago humarap sa magugulong estudyanteng ganun... para hindi makagawa ng bagay na hindi gusto ng lahat. Pero hindi rin tamang ganun na lang lapastanganin ang papel ng guro dahil may mga estudyante talaga na tila galing sa burak na kabihasnan na hindi alam ang tamang respeto at tamang lugar... ni hindi rin ata alam na ang eskwelahan ay lugar para mag-aral ng aralin at hindi lugar para magkwentuhan at maglaro.

Benjo, Panauhing Pandangal sa PSSPA III Bi-annual Conference sa Baguio

Naging panauhing pandangal kahapon si Ating Guro First Nominee at Teachers' Dignity Coalition Chairperson Benjo Basas sa Bi-annual Conference ng Public Secondary School Principals Association of Region III sa Baguio City.

Dinaluhan ito ng 400 participants na karamiha'y mga punongguro mula sa iba't ibang dibisyon ng Region 3.

Tinalakay ni Basas ang mga bagay na may kinalaman sa kapakanan ng mga guro sa kasalukuyan at proteksyong suportado ng batas.

Kasalukuyan naninindigan ang TDC sa pangunguna ni Benjo Basas para maitaas ang sweldo ng mga guro na noon pa dapat naipatupad subalit binabalewala ng kasalukuyang administrasyon. Patuloy rin ang mga kilos-protesta para maiparating sa pamahalaan ang mga dapat nitong iprayoridad.

Umaasa naman si Benjo na magkakaroon ng mas maayos na pagtrato at suporta ang mga dumalong punungguro sa kanilang mga nasasakupan lalo na sa kanilang mga guro. 

BENJO BASAS

Benjo Gabitan Basas

Status:

-Kasalukuyang National Chairperson ng Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC)

-First Nominee ng ATING GURO Partylist

-kasalukuyang kaagapay ng mga pampublikong guro laban sa mga tiwaling opisyal at maling sistema sa pamahalaan.

Personal Info:

-Public School Teacher (Baesa High School)

-Ipinanganak noong January 3, 1979 (Tacloban City)

-Nag-aral ng Bachelor of Science in Education major in Social Sciences sa Philippine Normal University

-Kabiyak ni Ana

-Magulang nina Datu at ... 

(to be completed soon...)

Benjo Basas on the Suspension of K-12 Implementation

Mga kapatid sa DepEd, paglilinaw po hinggil sa tindig ng TDC at Ating Guro sa isyu ng K-12:

Hindi kami tutol sa reporma sa edukasyon. Ang hindi namin inaayunan ay ang pahayag na tila baga ito at tanging ito lamang ang solusyon sa lahat ng suliranin ng sektor ng edukasyon. Sapagkat masasayang ang lahat ng paghahanda, oras at gastusin para sa K-12 kung hindi maiaayos ang pagpapatupad nito. Hanggang ngayon ay hindi maikakaila ang mga kakulangan sa pasilidad, learning materials atbp.

HIGIT SA LAHAT, DAPAT NA UNAHIN ANG KAPAKANAN NG MGA GURO!

Ang mga guro ang nasa unahan ng repormang ito kaya dapat na sila ang mas kinukumbinsi at inihahanda ng DepEd.

Anumang pagtatangkang ayusin ang sistema ng edukasyon ay mabibigo kung hindi ilalagay sa pangunahing konsiderasyon ang kapakanan ng mga guro.

Kaya, kami po ay makikiisa sa panawagang SUSPEND K-12 at lalahok sa pagtitipon sa May 9 sa Liwasang Bonifacio.

Batid namin na lahat tayo ay nagmamalasakit sa mga bata, mga guro at sa ating niyan.

Maraming salamat po!

-Benjo Basas, TDC Chair/

Ating Guro Nominee