Maraming salamat sa Kalihim ng ating DepEd, Secretary Sonny Angara. [Magsi-upo po tayo.]
Secretary Sonny mayroon lang akong idadagdag pa na guro sa pamilya ko, ang aking mother. Nag-start siya mula noong nasa — noong nag-graduate siya ng high school, naging primary school teacher siya bago siya lumipat at nag-aral ng college. [applause] Pagkalabas niya ng college ganoon din nagturo uli siya. Kaya’t talagang — siyempre ang… Para sa amin talagang malalim ang tradisyon ng edukasyon sa pamilya namin kaya’t napakalaking bagay po na ako’y makarating dito ngayong araw.
Babatiin ko po ang ating House Speaker, House Speaker Martin Romualdez; lahat ng iba’t ibang miyembro ng House of Representatives na nandito ngayon; of course ang ating host Quezon City Mayor, si Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte; the other mayors of NCR who are here today; and of course another teacher in my family, the First Lady, First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos [applause] na nagsimula — nagsimula siya magturo dahil dati practicing lawyer siya pero nagsimula siyang magturo noong ako’y naging gobernador sa Ilocos Norte, nandoon siya sa Northwestern College doon sa Laoag. At mula noon hindi na niya mabitawan. Pumunta pa sa PLM, bago ngayon ay pumupunta siyang Iloilo para magturo every week. Sa ating — siyempre ang ating pinakamahalagang bisita rito ang ating mga guro; aking mga kasamahan sa pamahalaan; at ladies and gentlemen, magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat. [applause]
Bago ang lahat, simple lang pababati po: To our teachers in public and private schools, Happy Teachers’ Day! [applause]
Binabati… Babatiin ko rin ang First Lady. Dahil nga bukod sa kanyang pagiging abogado at maybahay, isa rin po siyang guro ng kursong abogasiya. Kaya naman, kaisa ninyo ang ating First Lady na nagdiriwang ng okasyong ito.
So, ‘pag nakikita ko siya, when I see her sitting there, checking papers, and preparing her lesson plan, and preparing for her lectures, it also makes me think about my own time when I was in school.
And when we look back on that, we think about the classmates we spent our breaks with, the courses that we enjoyed—and dreaded—and, most importantly, the teachers who had recognized our potential before anybody else did.
Lahat, lahat siguro ng — kahit na sino na dumaan sa eskwela, may naaalala isa, dalawa, tatlo na teacher na hindi nila makalimutan habang buhay. Ako mayroon akong ganyan na na-inspire ka. Na siyempre iniisip mo ‘yung eskwela gusto mo maglaro pero sasabihin sa’yo hindi tingnan mo ito, mai-inspire ka at pinaganda ang performance mo sa eskwela. Lahat tayo may ganoon.
From our first steps to the classroom to our first leap of faith into the world, you teachers did not just impart the wisdom necessary for us to flourish, you have also instilled in us the values that guide us through life’s challenges.
Without your dedication, we would not have a future worth celebrating.
As we mark the culmination of the National Teachers’ Month, we honor the tremendous efforts that teachers have made over the years.
But we can also cannot ignore the difficult realities that teachers face. The constrained resources and the personal difficulties your students bring into the classroom are just a few examples.
Just last month, we met two teachers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to improve the life of their students.
Teacher Kyle David Atienza of Marinduque brings learning to life with his rolling blackboard, reaching both in-school and out-of-school learners through his outreach and free literacy sessions.
Nandiyan din, Davao City, Teacher June Elias Patalinhug promotes innovation in the classroom. Through his Project KAHIG, he not only offers essential remediation but also provides school supplies and nourishment to the children that are in need.
‘Pag pinag-uusapan natin ang mga sakripisyo ng mga teacher, hindi natin makalimutan kung maalala ninyo noong pandemya, noong lockdown. Naabutan tayo ng graduation na nasa lockdown. At kaya walang lockdown — kung lockdown, walang commencement exercise. Ngunit dahan-dahan nababalitaan natin ‘yung mga teacher dahil naaawa naman sila sa kanilang mga graduate, pinupuntahan sa bawat bahay nung bawat graduate. Para naman ‘yung bawat graduate magpopostura, mag-aayos, may kaunting stage, may kaunting handa, may picture, binibigay ‘yung diploma. Saan ka naman nakakita ng ganyan?
Teacher lang gumagawa niyan. Ibang tao hindi ginagawa ‘yan. Teacher lang gumagawa niyan. [applause]
Tapos bukod pa roon, tayo sa probinsya, noong tumagal kami sa probinsya pagka may okasyon, pagka may fiesta, pagka may malaking birthday, pagka may VIP, may mga big shot na darating, anong gagawin ni mayor? Tatawag, “Si superintendent tawagan mo. Kailangan ang mga teacher maghanda tayo. Gagawa tayo ng ano dahil may bisita.” Nakikita mo ‘yung mga teacher ‘yan nagkakandasugat-sugat na ‘yung mga daliri kaka-thumbtacks doon sa tablecloth para ano [applause and cheers] para naman pagandahin ‘yung kakainan nung VIP. Hindi ba? Tapos doon sa loob ng kusina, makikita mo ‘yung mga teacher nako tone-toneladang pansit ang niluluto. [applause and cheers] Sasabihin, “Ba’t ang daming pagkain?” “Eh may bisita nakakahiya baka maubusan.” Wala na sa pag-teacher ‘yun. Kaya’t I think I’m safe in saying that not only will the schools not work without teachers, the community will not function without you. [applause]
‘Yang ganyang klaseng teacher with everyone who are gathered here today, you are proof that no matter what the challenges our education system faces, we will prevail. Malakas ang loob natin dahil alam natin nandiyan ang ating mga teacher.
It’s because of your passion, your innovation, unwavering dedication that I hold the firm belief that: Despite odds, we will push forward.
In my recent SONA, I emphasized that supporting teachers is one of this Administration’s key priorities. [applause]
We are committed to ensuring that you have ample resources to teach—whether by additional materials, reducing non-teaching — and or reducing non-teaching responsibilities.
So, in line with that commitment, we have implemented several measures that will transform the lives of our 860,000 public school teachers.
This year, I signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations for Executive Order No. 174 to bring more opportunities for your career advancement and professional development. [applause]
No public school teacher will be retiring as Teacher I anymore. [applause and cheers]
We have also streamlined the career path for public school administrators to lay the groundwork for school leaders rising from the ranks of Master Teachers.
With this flexibility to move between classroom teaching and school administration, you can grow professionally, explore new roles, and assume leadership positions.
On the other hand, we signed the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which allots a tax-free teaching allowance of P5,000 this year for the purchase of supplies and materials for your teaching. [applause]
This will increase to P10,000 in the next school year. [applause and cheers]
We do not… Sa aming pananaw, hindi — ang tingin namin dito hindi ito financial aid. Ito’y nakakasiguro — this makes sure and ensures that you have the tools that are necessary for your effective teaching.
I have also signed Executive Order No. 64, which provides for an increase in government employee salaries, including that of our teachers, and delivery of medical allowance worth P7,000. [applause]
Furthermore, the Personal Accident Insurance Policy of the GSIS safeguards your security amidst the day-to-day challenges that you face as our professionals.
DepEd Order No. 005, series of 2024 was likewise issued. One of its provisions is the fair and equitable distribution of teaching load. [applause]
Public school teachers will be properly compensated once they exceed the prescribed six hours of classroom teaching every day. [applause]
We are instituting these measures to foster a more balanced and conducive work environment for our public school teachers.
Allow me to narrate some stories which attest to the transformation that these efforts brought to our educators.
Ma’am Sorayda, a teacher from La Union, shared that the increase in salary and medical allowance has given her peace of mind. She and her fellow teachers can now focus on teaching, knowing that the government has recognized their value and their hard work.
Teacher Joanna from Negros Occidental shared that our assurance that no teacher will retire as a Teacher I has boosted her morale in the profession and gave her hope for advancement.
It is not just a recognition of our teachers’ dedication, but also a testament to our shared commitment to empowering our educators.
Finally, a teacher from Abra working in one of our Last Mile Schools, Ma’am Narry Ann, mentioned that through the School Building Program, now she has a safe, comfortable space where her students can learn without distractions.
So, as we lay down the groundwork for a more resilient sector, I enjoin DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, along with our government agencies, to continue improving the quality of education, uphold the rights of our teachers, and adapt to the ever-evolving needs of our [academic] landscape.
To our teachers: Keep shaping our students who will not only face the uncertainties of today, but will also embrace the opportunities of tomorrow.
Our future rests in your hands. This Administration trusts that you will help us build the Bagong Pilipinas that we all aspire to achieve.
Once again: Happy Teachers’ Day!
Maraming salamat! Mabuhay kayong lahat na mga guro, mga ma’am, mga sir!
Happy Teachers’ Day!
Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat! [applause]
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