Legarda Lauds Teachers, Vows Greater Support For Their Welfare

In celebration of World Teachers’ Day on October 5, Senator Loren Legarda today lauded the contributions of the country’s teachers to our society and assured them of her support through laws and policies that will benefit the entire teaching community.

“Teachers are our unsung heroes who, day in and out, dedicate their lives to molding the minds of the Filipino youth, despite challenges in our education system,” Legarda stressed.

“We owe much of our achievements to the women and men whose perseverance, commitment and selfless dedication benefit not only our students but also the society in general. Government, in turn, should guarantee them adequate support through the expansion of benefits and incentives, and the strengthening of professional development programs for educators,” she urged.

The Senator also noted the crucial role of teachers in the nation’s journey towards sustainable development. This year’s theme for World Teachers’ Day is “Empowering teachers, building sustainable societies”.

“Our teachers have an important role in inculcating in our youth the values that would lead them towards practicing environment-friendly lifestyles, like planting trees, conserving water and energy, practising ecological solid waste management, and many others. Teachers have a big role in educating the youth on our role as stewards of the earth,” said Legarda.

Legarda is a staunch advocate of reforms in both teacher’s welfare and education in the country. She is pushing for the passage of Senate Bill No. 8, which seeks to provide more benefits and greater protection to teachers and non-teaching personnel all over the country by strengthening and amending certain provisions of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

She also filed Senate Bill 2351, which seeks to increase the monthly minimum wage of both public school teachers and non-teaching personnel.

Said measure aims to raise the salary of teachers and non-teaching personnel to ensure that the State fulfills its responsibility of providing adequate compensation for teachers and to prevent our competent and efficient educators from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“The country can only move forward in the global knowledge economy if government invests enough on improving its human capital,” Legarda concluded.