SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez assured the country’s nearly 1 million public school teachers that the House of Representatives will pay specific and more attention to their plight, particularly in terms of salaries and benefits, as well as additional classrooms and equipment such as computers.
“In all of the challenges that you face, we in Congress must stress that we will not waver in our promise to give you (in the Department of Education) our continued support in your programs, not just for the laws that we pass, but for the betterment of our teachers as well,” he said.
“And this includes higher pay, more benefits, which should extend to more opportunities for training and progress of everyone,” the leader of the more than 300 members of the House declared during the culminating celebration of “2024 National Teacher’s Month.”
In a speech he delivered at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, the Speaker vowed that the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., with the help of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, will not be making promises it cannot keep.
"Nagbubulungan kami ni Secretary Angara kanina at kinunsulta ko ang chairman of Appropriations (Committee) ng House, at sisiguraduhin natin na magdadagdag tayo ng mga classroom buildings at mga equipment, kagaya ng laptops at computers," Speaker Romualdez noted.
His announcement was met by cheers from the teachers and Department of Education officials attending the ceremony.
“Our promise will definitely not end up as mere lip service. The administration of President Marcos will make sure that you are equipped with all the necessary tools that will advance your chosen career, but will also ultimately redound to the benefit of our future leaders,” Speaker Romualdez asserted.
“We salute our teachers who have made sacrifices beyond their limits, who always go out of their way to help our students learn so that they will be fully prepared for the realities and struggles of life the moment they enter our labor force,” the House chief added.
“Your devotion and dedication, not to mention your passion, to work is beyond question. And we are all grateful for that. You have made it your vow to nourish our children into making them productive citizens of our progressing society,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“As we always say, education is the foundation of everyone’s success, and for which this administration will vigorously pursue in our ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ theme. And you as teachers, being pillars of our education system, will be there as guiding light for our youth,” he said.
As he reminisced about his school days, the Speaker said one lesson he learned from one of his teachers was that no matter how difficult the situation is, there will always be ways to overcome these challenges, which will ultimately lead to success.
“This is one lesson we in Congress, and the government in general, have always been mindful of. And I’m sure these are also the lessons that you try to inculcate to your students day in and day out,” the administration stalwart, who sits as president of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party, stressed.
“With the theme ‘Together4Teachers’, let us celebrate this very important day as another milestone in nation-building. Always remember that the lessons you impart are not limited to the four corners of the classroom, but will also extend to molding the character of our future leaders,” he said.
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