Teacher’s group alarmed with growing COVID-19 infections of teachers; urges DepEd to give aid

On Wednesday, March 31, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has raised their concern towards the alleged increasing number of COVID-19 infections of personnel in the Department of Education (DepEd).

Based on ACT’s ground monitoring of DepEd personnel infected in Metro Manila, a total of 70 teaching and 21 non-teaching personnel have contracted the virus in Quezon City districts where 5 passed away due to the disease.

They also noted that 4 teachers and 10 of their family members have contracted the virus in a teacher housing area in Manila and was locked down since then. Half of them were forced to go to private hospitals shouldering their medical expenses while the other half isolated themselves in their homes due to overcapacity of public hospitals.

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Moreover, 14 total cases were reported by Makati City last year, with four persons under monitoring, five recoveries and two deaths. Another public school in Pasay City had also reported 10 individuals contracting the virus were quarantined.

Based on the reports, ACT alleged that financial support both from DepEd and their respective local government units (LGU) were not extended to them.

ACT also accounted that there are 6 active cases and 1 death in Las Piñas City, 5 recorded recovered cases and 1 death in Navotas City, and 21 active cases in Marikina City.

These patients reportedly received support from their LGUs but none from the DepEd,

ACT said.

Considering the increase of infections, an urgent assistance is being demanded by ACT Secretary General Raymond Basilio from DepEd to be given to the teachers.

Additionally, he also demanded that DepEd should set-up a medical fund to support the hospitalization and medical needs of its personnel who will be infected with COVID-19.

Basilio also expressed that the 1966 Magna Carta for Public School Teachers which mandates the government to ensure free hospitalization and treatment of public school teachers have not been implemented since.

Nakakaawa ang ating mga guro na nalulubog sa utang o hindi makapagpagpa-ospital dahil walang suporta ang pamahalaan para sa kanila,

Basilio added.