ACT launches hotline for teachers’ concerns during school break

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Wednesday launched a hotline to monitor the concerns of public school teachers regarding their supposed month-long break and benefits during the vacation. 

Through the “Bantay Benepisyo at Karapatan” hotline, the teachers' group aims to specifically monitor the implementation of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) department order 003, s. 2024, which states that non-voluntary or mandatory tasks or activities should be given to teachers during school break, from June 1-30.

Teachers with complaints could reach out to 09569130778 (Globe) and 09684801168 (Smart); email actphilippines@gmail.com; or send a message to fb.com/actph1982. 

They have to include their name, date, school, division, person responsible, and specify their concerns or issues. 

"Malinaw sa [order] ng kagawaran na nakalaan ang Hunyo para sa buong pahinga ng mga guro at dapat na walang anumang sapilitang pagpapatrabaho, pagpapapasok, o pagpapadalo sa anumang gawain o aktibidad sa paaralan sa panahong ito,” ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said. 

(The order clearly states that the month of June is reserved for the break of teachers. Therefore, they should not be forced to work, go to school, or attend any school activity during this time.)

“Ito ang primaryang dahilan bakit tayo nagbuo ng hotline na mekanismo ng mga guro sa pag-uulat hinggil sa karapatan sa sapat na pahinga at iba pang mga benepisyo at mabantayan ng ating unyon ang ating karapatan at kagalingan," he added.

(This is the primary reason why we developed a hotline mechanism—- for teachers to report their concerns about their right to benefits and rest, and so we could monitor these.)

Through the hotline, Quetua said teachers could also report concerns regarding their overtime or overload pay, as well as necessary service credits. 

“At huwag natin kakalimutang dapat masiguro na kung kailangang mag-report ng mga guro mula July 1 hanggang July 28 ay dapat maibibigay ang 1.25 na service credit per day,” he said. 

(Let’s not forget that teachers should be given a 1.25 service credit per day if they need to report from July 1 to July 28.) 

Earlier this month, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. signed the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which aims to support public school teachers by increasing their allowances. 

This allowance is designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with purchasing teaching supplies and materials, thereby enabling teachers to focus more on their crucial education roles and less on out-of-pocket expenses. 

The law authorizes an increase in the annual teaching allowance for public school teachers, the Presidential Communications Office said. It states that the teaching allowance will increase from P5,000 to P10,000 beginning in the school year 2025-2026.—LDF, GMA Integrated News