The Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday lauded President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and lawmakers for increasing the budget for teaching and connectivity allowances to assist public school teachers and learners amidst the pandemic.

In the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2021 signed by President Duterte last Monday, DepEd received budget allocation to increase the teaching supplies and communication allowances of teachers from PHP3,500 to PHP5,000.

The provision of additional allowances for teachers starting next year was in line with Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones’ request to the lawmakers and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to finance the stakeholders’ needs for the continuity of distance learning.

“We would like to thank the President, our senators, and representatives for backing our request to increase teachers’ allowance. This is timely support for the education sector and to our teachers in these difficult times,” Briones said. “With this positive development, we believe that our lawmakers will continue to support our initiatives for the welfare of our teachers and learners and the improvement of education in the country.”

In his message, Duterte commended DepEd’s continuous efforts to implement the blended distance learning modality during this challenging time.

“I commend the invaluable efforts of the DepEd in fulfilling its mandate amidst the current public health emergency by continually providing quality education to our learners through alternative learning modules and modalities. I admire our teachers, coordinators, and facilitators in their relentless efforts and sacrifices to adjust to the new learning set-up,” Duterte said.

Meanwhile, the grant of the transportation and teaching aid allowances under DepEd OSEC, Special Provision No. 21, “Alternative Learning System,” Volume I A, page 195, shall be subject to guidelines to be issued by the DepEd, in coordination with the DBM, in conformity with existing compensation laws, rules and regulations. (PNA)