Legarda Calls for Passage of Amended Magna Carta for Teachers

October 5, 2011

IN CELEBRATION OF WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY, SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA TODAY URGED CONGRESS TO IMMEDIATELY APPROVE THE PROPOSED INTEGRATED MAGNA CARTA OF TEACHERS AND NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL ACT.
“Time and again, we have raised the many concerns of our teachers that need to be addressed-just compensation, sufficient funds for education sector, reforms in GSIS, health care program, and job security, among many others. A campaign to show our appreciation for our mentors is a fitting tribute to them, but what they really need is the kind of recognition that goes beyond lip service,” Legarda stressed.
The Senator explained that her proposed Senate Bill 10 ensures for our teachers and non-teaching personnel the security of tenure, timely payment of their salaries on a monthly basis regardless of semestral or summer vacations, annual salary adjustment to mitigate the effects of inflation, and gratuity benefits for those who retire before reaching the compulsory retirement age of 60.
“Filipino teachers deserve to be recognized as heroes for they give more despite receiving less. Despite the limitations in the country’s education system, they strive to make a difference in the lives of their students. If we are to advance the long-standing concerns of our teachers, the passage of this measure is a strong indication of our commitment,” she said.
“Our teachers are all over the country, igniting curiosity, inspiring passion, and opening doors for our students. And so we must not fail them, we must support these very people who have become instrumental in achieving the successes we have attained in our lives,” Legarda concluded.