SENATOR Manuel “Lito” Lapid filed a measure that seeks to recognize the invaluable contribution and sacrifices of education support personnel by declaring May 16 as World Education Support Personnel day.

Senate Bill 1472 aims to declare May 16 a special working holiday.

“Dahil kinikilala natin ang kontribusyon ng ating mga Education Support Personnel sa sektor ng edukasyon at sa pambansang kaunlaran, ngayon, higit kailanman, na dapat ipakita ng pamahalaan ang kanyang pagpapahalaga sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng pagtatalaga ng isang araw upang kilalanin at isulong ang kanilang mga karapatan,” Lapid said.

Education support personnel refers to employees working in a broad range of roles and careers across all levels of education in both public and private education institutions, including but are not limited to career guidance and/or counselling; librarian and document management; maintenance and/or skilled trade; food and nutrition; health and welfare; tutoring and/or teaching and learning assistance; security; technology and/or communications support; transport; and specialists support.

The bill deems education support personnel as essential members of the educational system who also have a significant impact on students’ lives.

“Napakalaki ng papel na ginagampanan ng Education Support Personnel sa pagsisiguro na makakatanggap ng mataas na kalidad ng edukasyon ang ating mga mag-aaral. Ang ating mga kababayang nagtatrabaho bilang ESP rin ang responsable para masigurong maayos ang serbisyong naibibigay ng mga paaralan at institusyon para makalikha ng ligtas at positibong learning environment. Sa laki at bigat ng responsibilidad na hawak ng mga ESP, dapat lang na kilalanin sila sa pamamagitan ng iba’t-ibang aktibidad na gagawin sa selebrasyon ng National Education Support Personnel Day,” Lapid said.

Under the measure, the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education will be the lead agencies in the preparation and implementation of the annual program of activities for the observance of the National Education Support Personnel Day.