News Release December 27, 2011 Ref: Media Relations Service, PRIB Tel: 931-6177 Website: www.congress.gov.

ph

House passes bill declaring October 5 as National Teachers Day The House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading a bill declaring October 5 of each year as National Teachers Day in the Philippines. Rep. Antonio Tinio (Party-list, Act Teachers), one of the proponents of House Bill 4097, said the measure seeks to recognize the essential role of teachers in the educational and moral advancement of the people, especially the youth, as well as to the development of society. Setting aside a regular celebration as a special working holiday in honor of Filipino teachers in all public and private educational institutions, will enable the public to express recognition and gratitude to teachers nationwide for their sacrifices, Tinio said. Tinio said teachers in the country are among the most ravaged by the worsening economic crisis. Overworked and underpaid, many of these noble professionals are compelled by hard times to turn to foreign shores for much better pay. Despite hardships attendant to their profession, such as low pay and meager benefits, difficult working conditions and minimal protection during election and census duties, our teachers still carry on, molding the minds and hearts of our countrys future, Tinio stressed. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro City), another

author of the measure, said teachers in the Philippines not only shoulder the task of providing better education to the countrys students, they also endure hardships in the performance of their functions. Teachers are not allowed to let their personal problems get into the way of their profession. Even if they are experiencing problems, they report to their classrooms and muster enough courage to put on a happy face and touch the hearts, minds and lives of their students, Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said it is no secret that there are teachers in the country who risk life and limb just to be able to teach deserving students in far-flung areas not connected by roads and areas which do not even have proper classrooms. Rodriguez said there are also some teachers who are assigned to war-torn areas where they are in constant danger of being killed or kidnapped. Teaching is a passion and somebody must love to teach in order to do it well. Teachers should be rewarded in any way possible, Rodriguez said. The measure mandates the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to initiate the appropriate activities to celebrate National Teachers Day. The bill directs all public and private educational institutions in the elementary, secondary and tertiary levels to provide their full support and assistance to events and activities to be conducted by teachers and students in recognition of National Teachers Day. Co-authors of the measure are Deputy Speaker Maria Isabelle Climaco

(1st District, Zamboanga City), Reps. Salvador Escudero III (1st District, Sorsogon), Maximo Rodriguez, Jr. (Party-list, Abante Mindanao), Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David (4th District, Manila), Winston Castelo (2nd District, Quezon City), Maria Carmen Zamora-Apsay (1st District, Compostela Valley) and Luzviminda Ilagan (Party-list, Gabriela). (30) lvc