Talisay DepEd exec faces complaints

CEBU, Philippines - Schools division Superintendent Woodrow Denuyo faces complaints on the way he treats some teacher-applicants in the city.

Maria Lourdes Ipong, the president of the school principals' organization in Talisay City's public elementary and high schools, said many teacher-applicants and even permanent teachers are complaining against the official, especially on the way he handles matters about giving items, the Registry of Qualified Applicants, and the application for higher positions.

"We choose to write you as you have the capability of informing the Talisaynons and the rest of the Cebuanos of Superintendent Denuyo's terrible way of running the education sector of  Talisay City Division," concerned teachers said in their letter complaint.

The teachers already brought their complaint before the DepEd-Central Office but their request allegedly remained unacted, which prompted them to seek assistance from radio and TV personality Bobby Nalzaro.

In their letter complaint, they cited Denuyo's  "incomprehensible" trend of hiring Teacher 1 positions.

In the previous years, Denuyo claimed to have followed DepEd Order No. 12 and its addendum, the DepEd No. 37, which stated that those locally-funded teachers will be given the topmost priority in the giving of Teacher 1 items.

However, he was compelled by the Regional Office to follow strictly the guidelines set by the DepEd Order No. 12 and that is to prioritize the LGU-funded teachers in Category A first before the non-LGU-funded teachers even before jumping to the next category.

But they alleged that Denuyo was able to sneak in an "authority to fill" that allegedly contained names not in order by rank and priority, even if those Teacher 1 Applicants in Category A were still not accommodated.

"A lot of teacher-applicants were discouraged and started to refrain from applying in Talisay City  Division. The same hesitation has been shown by some regular teachers who were aspiring for a step higher. Many Teacher 1 applicants, especially those in Category A, were bypassed," the complaint read.

They accused Denuyo in delaying to fill up vacant items for EPS, Principal III, Principal II and Principal I.

In a separate interview, Denuyo washed hands of the teachers' plight saying it is the teachers themselves who are causing issues.

 "Kanang nangreklamo, kahibalo na sila nga their documents are incomplete," Denuyo said, citing DepEd Order No. 4, Series 2007 on the hiring procedure in public schools.

Under the order, Denuyo said an applicant shall submit to the head of the elementary or secondary school a written application supported by a string of documents.

Denuyo said if any of the documents is not submitted, the School Selection Committee may refuse acceptance of the application. He added that the school Selection Committee shall verify all documents as to completeness and authenticity.

"The applicant assumes full responsibility and accountability on the validity and authenticity of the documents submitted. Any violation will automatically disqualify the applicant from the selection process," Denuyo said, quoting the DepEd order.

Denuyo also said he will not violate any order from the DepEd and that he did not bypass anyone.

"It will be unfair to the others and, of course, ako ni silang gi-bypass kay kuwang man ilang documents. Out of the many, there are only nine of them who have incomplete documents and who keep on complaining," Denuyo added. (FREEMAN)