DepEd teachers get free legal aid from IBP

MANILA, Philippines — Public school teachers as well as non-teaching personnel will now receive free legal assistance in work-related disputes.

The Department of Education yesterday inked a memorandum of agreement with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to provide free legal aid to nearly one million teachers, administrative officers, accountants, clerks and bookkeepers of DepEd nationwide.

“We are happy that this legal assistance from the IBP will not only benefit our teachers but also our 100,000-plus non-teaching personnel,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

He said the agreement with the IBP would ensure that teachers’ rights are protected.

The event was attended by representatives of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers and Teachers’ Dignity Coalition, which have been pushing DepEd and lawmakers to enact safeguards against harassment of teachers.

The IBP said the initiative was aligned with the organization’s commitment to community service.

“Under Secretary Angara’s leadership, teachers hope that their salary will no longer be a hand-to-mouth existence,” IBP president Antonio Pido said.