Legarda Joins in Celebrating National Teachers’ Month

IN LIGHT OF NATIONAL TEACHERS’ MONTH 2012, SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA TODAY URGED FILIPINOS TO EXPRESS THEIR SOLIDARITY BY CAMPAIGNING FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE PROPOSED MAGNA CARTA OF TEACHERS AND NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL ACT.
“With the increasing rate of enrolment especially in public schools and massive educational reforms through the K-12 System, National Teachers’ Month should not be about rhetoric but about clear decisions and actions to provide better lives for our unsung heroes,” said Legarda, author of the proposed Magna Carta of Teachers and Non-Teaching Personnel Act or Senate Bill 10.
“This proposed Magna Carta 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,” she explained.
“Our teachers are the most reliable and dedicated public servants. They are being constantly called upon by officials of the local and national government to assist in various civic activities which contribute to the welfare of the community and the country, most notable of which is when they perform their functions during election period, and assist the National Statistics Office in gathering data even in the remotest places,” she stressed.
Legarda added that without appropriate legislative measures, more teachers may be persuaded to seek employment abroad.
“Despite the difficulties that continue to confront their profession, they remain fiercely loyal to their responsibility in molding the values and character of the new generations. It is only fitting that they be respected, protected, and given the privileges that they deserve,” Legarda concluded.