THE Teachers’ Dignity Coalition-National Capital Region is seeking clarification on a memorandum from DepEd Manila regarding the completion of certain tasks scheduled for June this year, specifically the submission of the Individual Performance Commitment and Review Form on or before June 10, 2024.

The TDC-NCR asserts that DepEd Manila Memorandum 219, released by Schools Division Superintendent Rita Riddle on May 6, 2024, appears to contradict the directive from the DepEd Central Office.

Nono Enguerra, president of TDC-NCR, said that the SDO Manila should comply with the directive from Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, specifically DepEd Order No. 3, s. 2024, dated February 19, 2024.

“It is clear that the intention of the Central Office and our Vice President and Secretary Duterte is that teachers should not be required to return or report to school from June 1 to June 30, but this directive from SDS Manila contradicts the DepEd Order,” Enguerra explained.

Jim Lester Beleno, president of Roxas HS Faculty Club and spokesperson for TDC-Manila, noted that several DepEd issuances also align with and reiterate this directive from the Office of the Secretary.

“Even the memo from the Office of Undersecretary for Operations, signed by DepEd Undersectretary Revsee Escobedo and Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas on February 20, one day after DO No. 3, 2024 was made public, made it clear that teachers are on a ‘mandatory 30-day vacation’ from June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, and will not have to go back to their schools to do any work, whether it is required or not,” Beleno said.

Beleno added that while they recognize the necessity of submitting the IPCRF, which forms the basis of DepEd employees performance ratings, it should not be required during a period specifically designated by Duterte as a time for rest. He said that another DepEd Central memo also said again that the IPCRF should be finished between July 1 and July 12, as stated in a memo signed by Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral on February 22, 2024, which also explained the new due date for this task.

Furthermore, it is stated that the IPCRF will be completed from July 1 to 12, 2024. Hence, the recent SDO Manila directive plainly contradicts the earlier memoranda mentioned, which remain effective, Beleno exclaimed.

While TDC-NCR and its Manila chapter plan to pursue a dialogue with SDO Manila officials, one member, Mingfie Frogosa, president of Villamor Faculty Club, expressed skepticism about the success of such talks, citing a previous issue.

“This is not the first time we have faced such an issue in Manila. Just last month, SDO Manila issued a memorandum requiring teachers to report to school even during the suspension of face-to-face classes,” Frogosa explained.

He added that the teacher-leaders of the Manila Public School Teachers Association had attempted to discuss the issue with SDS Riddle through dialogue.

Last month, Manila was the only place in Metro Manila, and perhaps the entire country, where teachers were required to report to school even without face-to-face classes. Now, there is another potential violation by SDO Manila regarding the mandatory vacation of teachers, said Frogosa.

TDC-NCR said that they will bring this issue to the attention of Secretary Duterte and Regional Director Joyce Andaya, according to TDC-NCR.