The regional chapter of teachers’ union Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) remains optimistic that the City Government of Davao will support their cause for financial aid.
During a candle lighting ceremony, staged on Friday evening at the Freedom Park in Roxas Avenue, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Davao region president Elenito Escalante said that they are thankful to the local City Council, especially to Councilor Pilar Braga, head City Council education committee, for lobbying their call for financial allowance.
“We are positive that the City Council will grant our proposal before the term of the current legislative body will end on June,” Escalante told reporters.
ACT and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio had a spat in October last year after the disgruntled teacher’s union posted on their Facebook page that Davao City is the only city that does not give any financial assistance to public school teachers.
Prior to the rift, the mayor and ACT Davao Chapter President Reynaldo Pardillo had a short discussion after the regular Monday flag-raising ceremony where the group lobbied for a P2,000-monthly financial assistance and a P2,500-quarterly rice subsidy for all teaching and non-teaching personnel.
The mayor turned down ACT’s proposal after admitting that the city’s budget cannot subsidize it. However, she urged ACT to submit another proposal. Escalante said the new proposal was for a P1,500 monthly allowance, and a half-kilo rice subsidy, good for three-months, both for teaching and non-teaching personnel.
“We hope that the mayor would reconsider our proposal. It would be of huge help for our teachers who are in need of it due to the high rise of goods and commodities,” he said.
