City Hall to increase teachers' allowance

CEBU, Philippines - City Hall will be increasing the city teachers’ monthly allowance to P1,000.

Mayor Michael Rama made the announcement yesterday before more than 4,000 teachers during the celebration of the annual Teachers’ Day. 

He called on the teachers to produce better students who will improve the country amid the political turmoil.

“I pray all of this should come to an end when we put our acts together to make this country great…We can have that if we produce better students. Students who are not only knowledgeable but students who fear in God,” he added.

Rama said he will direct the school board to affirm the increase in the public teacher’s Cost of Living Allowance from P400 to P1,000.

Last October 5 the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition asked the city government to raise their monthly COLA to P2,000.

TDC claimed that granting the said privilege will not only upgrade the financial condition of the teachers, but would also boost their morale and help them perform better despite their poor working conditions. Rama, who graduated from a public elementary school, said he is always proud of his teachers and the things he learned from them.

“And whatever I learned from them, I apply these to the city government,” the mayor said.

The mayor also asked the teachers to teach the students about the importance of saving Mother Earth.

Rama delivered the welcome remarks for yesterday afternoon’s event celebrated by the Department of Education, Cebu City Division with the theme: “Magtutudlo: Giya ka sa kalambuan sa kinaiyahan”. The event was held at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The affair was highlighted by the recognition of retirees and teachers who have rendered 40 years of meritorious service.

Among those awarded with plaques for their 40 years of service in the education field were Erlinda Cagadoc, Rosalinda Dolino, Delia Kiamco, Helen Retuya and Ester Tangente.

The retirees in the elementary level were Dolino, Zosima Arda, Erlinda Arruiza, Fe Stella Castañeda, Lyida Dela Peña, Gloria Dotillos, Camila Enriquez, Gloria Fernandez, Linda Galay, Josephine Java, Primitiva Llanura, Belma Luague, Violeta Maravilla, Sarah Najarro, Rosalinda Nicor and Erlinda Pacquiao.

The other awardees in elementary were Leonida Pepito, Erlinda Pino, Monina Polloso, Rose Marie Quijano, Vilma Quiñanola, Norma Restauro, Purificacion Salazar, Ma. Jessica Suralta, Olivia Tiambang, Victorina Veloso, Peregrina Vigas and Romulo Vivas Sr.

The retirees for the secondary division were Brenda Yuson, Josefina Bacalso, Leonora Ceballos, Rosalina Limotan, Virginia Lopez, Arlene Manuel and Ledinila Motoc. (FREEMAN)