WITH the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act signed into law, Sen. Win Gatchalian called for the immediate distribution of financial aid for displaced teaching and non-teaching personnel.

“Ngayon at ganap nang batas ang Bayanihan 2, dapat siguruhin nating agarang maipapaabot sa ating mga guro at mga kawaning nawalan ng trabaho ang ayuda mula sa pamahalaan. Matagal naghintay ang mga guro at kawaning nawalan ng trabaho kaya dapat nating siguruhing hindi magkakaroon ng aberya ang pamamahagi ng tulong pinansyal para sa kanila,” Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said.

Under Bayanihan 2, P300 million was allocated for the one-time cash assistance for displaced teaching and non-teaching personnel in private and public elementary, secondary, and tertiary educational institutions.

The provision covers part-time faculty and non-permanent teaching personnel, as well as part-time faculty in State Universities and Colleges who lost their jobs.

The law also allotted P600 million in subsidies and allowances for qualified students in public and private schools.

These subsidies, which will be released directly to schools, will be applied for unpaid tuition in SY 2019-2020 or to pay  tuition for SY 2020-2021.

Gatchalian also called on the Department of Education to build a database for the smooth distribution of aid to teachers.

The Education department reported that 846 private schools shut down affecting thousands of teachers and learners.