VPSD Speech for National Teacher’s Month Kick-Off, Bohol Wisdom School Gymnasium, Tagbilaran City

Event Date: September 5, 2023

Assalamualaikum.

[STANDARD GREETINGS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GUESTS]

Madayaw ug maayong buntag kaninyong tanan. Good morning to everyone.

I stand before you today as we gather to begin National Teacher’s Month, feeling incredibly humbled and encouraged by the personal encounters that have shaped my respect for teachers.

You probably already know that my family on both sides has been in the teaching profession for generations. Teachers built the foundation of who I am as a Filipino in many ways.

Ang akoang mama, teacher siya kaniadto sa high school, aduna pa’y typing class kaniadto — “The brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” Wala na ko kaabot sa typing class kay pag abot nako og high school, computer classes na, pero naka-check ko og papers sa akong mama. Nagatudlo siya og Rizal, Typing Class, og Commerce sa high school mao nang tig-check ko kaniadto. Ang amoang eskwelahan kaniadto, aduna siya’y college department. So pag moanhi ko sa college department, makit-an nako ang mga estudyante sa akong mama. Elementary paman ko ato, siguro naa pa sa mga 7, 8 – kay nihunong ug tudlo akong mama 9 years old ko kay nabuntis siya sa among kinamanghuran.

I know I am not the only one who has absorbed the fundamental life principles of teachers.

Many of us here who have become respected teachers, doctors, lawyers, business leaders, public servants, entrepreneurs, and all other professionals nurtured our dreams with the help of a teacher.

Many dreams started inside the classrooms. Many dreams were inspired by teachers.

Teachers are the spark of inspiration in every classroom, the guiding light of countless possibilities and better futures, and the builders of our nation’s dreams.

Teachers have essentially helped build our country. And teachers will always be there as we move forward with our aspirations to see a stable, secure, peaceful, and strong motherland.

We are a fascinating country with a rich history and culture. We have a strong, educated middle class. We have a young and vibrant labor force.

For the most part, it is because of the teachers who labored, sacrificed, and dedicated their lives to ensuring that we are raising educated, learned, and skilled citizens.

Beyond teaching reading, writing, and numeracy, we are grateful for the life lessons you teach our children.

Mao nang permi gyud ko magpahinumdom sa atong mga magtutudlo kung naa ko’y maistorya na always be kind sa inyohang mga estudyante kay tungod kung unsa na ilang isulti sa ilang mga studyante karon, mao na ang ilang mahinumdomam permi. They do not remember the lessons. They do not remember the exams. They only remember kanang mga sakit nga mga words na gisulti sa ilaha. So if you have the opportunity to talk to your learners, always be kind with your words and actions.

Not too long ago, teachers played a crucial role in shaping the character of our learners.

Hand in hand with parents and the community, teachers have inculcated in our children the values that have essentially formed our identity as Filipinos.

Ang pagiging magalang. Ang pagiging masinop. Ang pagiging matulungin. Ang pagiging mapagmahal. Ang pagkakaroon ng takot sa Diyos o kay Allah.

Bakit mahalaga ang respeto sa kapwa. Bakit mahalaga ang pagtanggap natin sa iba — sa kabila ng kanilang kalagayan sa buhay, relihiyon, tribo, o kasarian. Bakit mahalaga ang pagpapatawad.

Ano ang kahalagahan ng disiplina.

Paano natin maipapakita na mahal natin ang ating bayan.

These are just some of the values many of us have learned in school from our teachers.

Unfortunately, these had been sidestepped by some efforts supposedly designed to improve our curriculum.

But with the revised K to 10 curriculum, which we now call the MATATAG Curriculum, we are reintroducing Good Manners and Right Conduct to our learners.

For many learners, GMRC may be something new and totally different, if not strange.

We hope to once again make our schools and classrooms places where learners can essentially acquire values to help them become better individuals.

This is crucial because our learners are growing up in a world that is increasingly violent, unsafe, and unfriendly to children.

By imparting moral values to young Filipinos at a young age, we equip them with the tools necessary to make sound decisions as adults.

And we entrust this to you, our beloved teachers.

We know that our public school teachers have been burdened with many challenges that come with the profession. And it has been so since the 1940s.

The Department of Education’s MATATAG Agenda is not just a slogan. It is our roadmap to institutionalizing reforms within the Department. This includes the protection of your rights and the promotion of your welfare.

Many of our school teachers are overly stressed about their financial insecurities.

That is why we are regularly engaging with GSIS.

We are looking to address your concerns over accrued interests or arrears of your loans.

Kada bulan, duna mi meeting with GSIS to make sure na tanan among gina request sa ilaha, malihok within their institution.

The Department of Education is fully committed to enhancing your capacities. The initiatives for in-service teachers and the continuous professional development programs bear testimony to this.

Under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., we have collaborated closely with the Department of Budget and Management, or DBM, to approve positions for 3,500 administrative officers and 1,500 PDOs to alleviate the administrative burden on our beloved teachers.

Last week, DBM approved and released the AO 11 and PDO 1 positions.

And President Marcos has seen the importance of this DBM approved and released AO 11 and PDO 1 positions.

Soon, you will be relieved of the administrative responsibilities that prevent you from focusing on enhancing our students' learning.

Still, there's more to come. With the vetted guidelines by both DBM and the Civil Service Commission, we are requesting a higher allocation for teaching overload pay.

We can never put a monetary value on your contributions to the country.

Rest assured that we are committed to recognizing and compensating our teachers for their invaluable contributions.

We will always advocate for teacher benefits as your champions.

We have always placed immense value on continuous learning, not just for our students but for our educators.

As we move towards a more resilient basic education sector, trainings on blended learning and tools to integrate technology in the classroom will ensure our educators are equipped with the tools they need to succeed.

DepEd’s vision is to provide innovative, long-term solutions to basic education challenges.

These initiatives are a testament to our understanding of your challenges and our determination to ensure you can focus on what you do best—teaching.

As we start this month-long celebration, let me reiterate what I have already told you in the past.

Malaki po ang respeto ko sa inyo.

And I am humbled standing before your presence as I also stand with pride that I am tasked to lead Filipino professionals who are considered the bedrock of any society.

Ang buong buwan na ito ay magsisilbing paalala sa inyong kahalagahan sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino at sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa.

But please remember that the nation’s gratitude and profound appreciation for our educators do not end on the last day of September.

The Philippines has thrived, not just because of its resources but also because of individuals who have nurtured our most precious resource, the Filipino youth.

Our nation owes an immense debt to its educators. Your resilience, especially in these challenging times, is extraordinary.

You are our children’s mentors, guides, and, sometimes, their biggest cheerleaders.

As we look to the future, we rely on our teachers to implement the MATATAG Curriculum effectively.

The curriculum aims to revolutionize how we approach education in the Philippines.

MATATAG is a testament to our commitment to bolstering the foundation of our education system.

As we pilot this and gear up for a national rollout, the heart of its success lies with you, our educators.

The success of our reform agenda is deeply linked to your dedication and the ability to adapt and embrace challenges.

Every change we bring and every reform we initiate is only as substantial as our teachers’ belief in its potential.

At this point, allow me to recognize our private sector partners who have contributed to improving basic education in the Philippines.

Among them is the Metrobank Foundation. Thank you for always supporting the Department and constantly promoting education's value.

We are grateful for your financial support, provision of school supplies and uniforms for learners from low-income families, and your funding for constructing and rehabilitating public school classrooms, libraries, and other facilities in your adopted schools.

Akoa lang isa-isahon ang mga miyembro sa atong National Teachers’ Month Council – ang Metrobank Foundation, DILG, BDO Foundation, Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Commission on Higher Education, TESDA, GSIS, Landbank, Home Development New Fund, SSS, PhilHealth, Philpost, MMDA, Datu Balani Foundation, GMA Network, Smart Foundation, Globe Telecom, and Philippine Business for Education. Daghang salamat kaninyong tanan.

As I draw my message to a close, let us recognize our shared duty to cultivate an environment that champions lifelong learning and workforce development.

The reforms introduced by the MATATAG Agenda are not solely about embracing new curricula or innovative methodologies.

They also create a space where our teachers feel genuinely appreciated, our students are inspired and empowered, and our nation can confidently march towards a more prosperous, competitive, and resilient future.

To every teacher here and those across the archipelago, I wish you unparalleled rewards and satisfaction in your noble profession.

Your impact extends beyond classroom walls and resonates deeply in the hearts and minds of those you guide.

To the rest of us, our role is clear: stand alongside our teachers and offer support, understanding, encouragement, and respect.

As we dedicate this month to our teachers, let us also take this as an opportunity for renewed commitment, growth, and positive change.

So maghatag lang ko ug good news. Unang-una, pag muadto mi sa skwelahan mag school visit mi unya ang trabaho nako makigstorya sa mga estudyante. Unya amoa nang panguhaon ang mga maestra akoang ipaistorya sa Assistant Secretary sa DepEd. Unya didto sa classroom, mangutana ko kung but-an ba na si ma’am o dili? Wala’y binuang, naa gyuy bata muingon. Mao na ana ko, be kind kay kita pud moestorya baya ta sa atong mga maestra, ‘di ba? Lain pud kung kita ang maistoryahan.

So, ang isa sa mga gina-reklamo pag mag-storya na sa mga maestra didto kay ang admin tasks lagi daw. Unya balik ko sa Central Office didto sa HR. Ana ko, miskan asa mi moadto na skwelahan, magbalik-balik man gyud ang reklamo sa admin tasks. Unsa man gyu’y tinuod? Naa ta’y administrative officer, naa pa’y moabot. Unsa man gyu’y ginareklamo na admin task? Ana ko sa iya, “pila man kabuok ang ginapabuhat na admin tasks sa maestra? 56? 56 kabuok?” Unya giingnan nako siya na, “ma’am, kanang 56 ninyo kabuok na admin tasks ba, naa man na siya’y basehan sa balaod. Kung wala ni siya’y basehan sa balaod, nganong ipabuhat mana ninyo sa kuan… sa mga maestra na wala ma’y basehan na sila ang mobuhat ana.” Unya, niingon siya, “sige. Maglingkod mi somewhere, legal, moagi mi og review.” Gitagaan namo siya’g adlaw, kalooy sa Ginoo, wala gihapon siya nahuman. Pero duna siya’y update kadtong nag meeting mi. Niingon siya, ang 56 kuno, nahimo nilang 11 nalang kabuok administrative tasks ang naa’y basehan na ang maestra gyud ang mubuhat. So from 56 to 11 interim guidelines issued so that dili mo lat-an sa division sa pagpangayo sa kung unsa man nang ginapangayo nila.

So Interim guidelines will be issued, significantly and immediately reducing admin tasks of teachers.

End of School Year Rites was already included into the official school days of the current school calendar. So dili siya mogawas sa school days ang end of school year rites.

We made sure that in this year’s school calendar, teachers will have 30 straight days of rest during the break without any DepEd activity that requires volunteer works. All activities with voluntary participation is scheduled after the said 30-day break. So katong DepEd memorandum na naa didto ang school calendar, makita ninyo dunay 30 days dito na wala’y nakabutang na activity.

And we intend to release a memo sa atoang regions, divisions, sa atoang school heads and principals na they must answer if gipa-report ang teacher during the 30 days break.

And then, we are about to sign a MOA with GSIS with a dedicated and exclusive lane for teachers in all branches.

There will be an assigned team in GSIS to exclusively handle teacher concerns.

We are about to launch a website that will provide free legal aid for teachers in terms of loan contracts.

Wala nang palakasan. We are now developing an automated system for an objective selection in the hiring and promotion of teachers.

Happy National Teachers Month, kaninyong tanan.

Magmadasigon kita sa atong tinguha nga itukod ang usa ka nasud nga mobarog sa kabataan ug mga kabataan nga moalagad sa atong nasud.

Ang tanan alang sa Diyos, sa nasud, ug sa matag pamilyang Pilipino.

Shukran.