THE ALLIANCE of Concerned Teachers noted an increasing number of Covid19 cases among educators and students in two regions in the country.

ACT Secretary General Raymond Basilio on Thursday disclosed that 547 cases so far involving teachers, non-teaching personnel and students from the Cordillera Administrative Region and Calabarzon have been recorded.

Out of the numbers, 245 are teachers, 52 are school employees, and 250 are students. He added the group is currently gathering data from other regions as well.

In a radio interview, Basilio said there has been an increase in cases ever since module distribution began, leading to some being exposed to active cases.

“Dumami rin ‘yong cases ng mga teacher na nasa isolation ngayon pagkatapos noong pamimigay ng module noong nakaraang linggo, kung saan marami sa kanila ay na-expose sa parents na Covid19 positive,” he said.

Basilio said health insurance agency PhilHealth is not covering most of the medical expenses incurred by affected teachers, forcing some of them to ask for loans.

“Malaking bahagi ng gastusin sa pagkakasakit sa Covid19 ay hindi shouldered ng PhilHealth. Kaya sa aming cases na na-monitor, talagang nagshe-shell out ng pera ‘yong teachers, naglo-loan upang pambayad sa kanilang hospital bills,” he said.

Earlier, Department of Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said the department could not cover the expenses as it is not included in its budget.

Last August, DepEd reported 823 confirmed Covid19 cases among educators and students.