BY CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers -Negros are joining a nationally coordinated action protest dubbed “Pambansang Araw ng Paniningil sa DepEd para sa Overtime Pay ng mga Guro” on November 26 to air the demands of public school teachers in Western Visayas.
The teachers will be calling on the government to heed the five demands of about 50,000 public teachers in Region VI, namely, salary upgrading to Salary Grade 15 of the teacher 1 position; overtime pay amounting to 77 days service credits and 25 percent premium for last school year’s excess days of work;
Laptop for every teacher and P1,500 monthly internet allowance; P3,000 inflation adjustment allowance; and P1,000 tax free election service honoraria.
ACT-Negros vice chairman Richard Gelangre yesterday said that different schools will join the nationally coordinated action at 10 a.m. on November 26 by displaying their printed demands and also posting them on social media to show their support to the cause of ACT Philippines.
There are about 3,800 public school teachers in Bacolod City alone, he said.
Gelangre said they are also negotiating for the renewal of their Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA), which is being renewed every three years. This is one way they could avail of additional privileges and rights, as well economic compensation from the DepEd.
They are also seeking an increase in their election service honoraria from P5,000 to P10,000 less 5 percent tax, he said.
Their demands also include salary upgrading from SG 11 to 15 which means an increase in the salary of teachers from P22,000 to P30,000 a month, he added.
Ruby Bernardo, ACT-NCR Union secretary said ACT will continue to fight for the five demands of the teachers and that they expect teachers from the different regions to support the nationwide protest on November 26.
Bernardo said one of these demands is an increase of their election honoraria since a board of inspector in the election is only receiving P5,000 less 5 percent tax. This was later increased by P1,000 which is not enough, so they will continue to demand for an increase of P10,000 plus meal and transportation allowances.
Rodel Medel, Regional Executive Auditor-ACT Union WV, said they are calling on the national leaders to give focus to the education sector particularly the teachers and students.
Medel said they are also encouraging public school teachers from the regional, division and school levels to support the nationwide protest to air their demands which include an additional P1,500 internet allowance.*
