More than 5,000 DepEd school teachers and non-teaching personnel nationwide gathered at the Ormoc City Superdome on October 5, 2018 to honor the classroom heroes.
This massive celebration of DepEd is in coordination with the local government of Ormoc City who hosted and staged the tribute to our teachers with entertainment, resounding bands and cultural troupes anchored on the theme “Gurong Pilipino: Turo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko.”
Briones expressed her view on the gala— “I am very happy and honored to be with all of you this morning as we celebrate and pay tribute to teachers. We are celebrating not just a Philippine event. We are celebrating a global event where we recognize the contributions of teachers all over the world, to society, and to humanity.”
Meanwhile, President Duterte conveyed his message thru a video clip to the teachers for their major role in the Department. “To all the Filipino teachers, may your commitment imbue the knowledge of all the ideals of our country as you spread hope for a better life for every Filipino, and the Filipinos to come. Happy Teachers' Day. May you continue to inspire and enhance knowledge and deep understanding of the Filipino youth and students. Mabuhay kayong lahat.”
Joining the roster of prominent personalities in the said event were— Undersecretaries Tonisito Umali, Annalyn Sevilla, and Josephine Maribojoc; Assistant Secretaries G.H. Ambat, Alma Torio, Ramon Fiel Abcede, and Rhoan Orebia; Regional Director Ramir Uytico, Ormoc City Schools Division Superintendent Manuel Albaño, Metrobank Foundation Inc. President and NTM Coordinating Council (NTMCC) Co-Chair Aniceto Sobrepeña, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez, and 4th District of Leyte Representative Lucy Torres-Gomez.
Briones further articulated on the significant developments in teachers’ compensation and benefits from 2016 to 2018. Among the expanded welfare and benefits of teachers are the P3,000 anniversary bonus teachers will receive in December; steady increase in the current P3,500 chalk/cash allowance; increase in the special hardship allowance and teachers' honoraria; raise in the allocation for facilities, meals and snacks, and room accommodation for official activities organized and conducted by the Department; continuous review of policies on teachers' workload; and the constant negotiation with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to give ample time for member-borrowers with past due loans to update their accounts with automatic waiver of penalties and surcharges.
Moreover, cheering competitions, Teachers Got Talent, booths, games, raffle draws and celebrities like Nicole Cordoves, Lyca Gairanod, Sephy Francisco, Marcelito Pomoy, Markki Stroem, Richard Yap entertained and serenaded the teachers. Metrobank also presented and recognized its 2018 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos teacher awardees. Finally, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) turned over its NTD special commemorative stamp.