The DEPARTMENT of Education convened its stakeholders and non-government organizations to provide updates on and co-strategize solutions to issues and concerns.

“Itong mga ganitong klase ng dialogue ay napakaganda dahil maski you feel very passionate and we feel very passionate, at the end of the day we are still talking [and agreeing] to each other,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.

The virtual gathering organized by E-Net Philippines was attended by other members of the agency’s Management Committee, and representatives from the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition, National Alliance of Teachers and Workers, Teachers, Inc., Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers, and other education stakeholders.

The group tackled teachers’ concerns, including the implementation of Republic Act 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

“Ang pag-implement ng Magna Carta ay shared responsibility. Gagawin natin ang lahat dahil mandato natin na alagaan ang teachers natin. Responsibility rin ito ng mga regulatory agencies in terms of approving our budget,” Briones said.

Also discussed were teachers’ physical and mental health assistance, communication and load purchase, laptops, and gadgets for learning continuity.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla and OIC-Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organization Development Wilfredo Cabral discussed the computation and the processes surrounding the Special Hardship Allowance and the provision of hazard pay.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa inyo at sa ating DepEd family na pinaunlakan ninyo itong space na ito para makapagusap po tayo. Talagang sa matagal na panahon ay nais naming magkaroon ng diyalogo ang ating teachers’ organizations sa inyo… Maganda po na dininig din ninyo ang kanilang mga hinaing,” E-Net Philippines’ President Flora Arellano said.