Senator Christopher “Bong” Go provided assistance to the private school teachers belonging to the Federation of Associations of Private Schools and Administrators (FAPSA) and some informal sector workers who have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 350 beneficiaries were given meals, food packs, vitamins, masks, and face shields during the activity held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila City on November 18.

The activity was carried out in strict compliance with the health and safety protocols against Covid-19.

“Sumulat po sa akin si FAPSA president Eleazardo Kasilag at nabanggit niya sa akin na maraming mga teachers ang apektado dahil sa Covid-19 at, sabi ko, hindi ako nangako that time, sabi ko, gagawan namin ng paraan sa abot ng aming makakaya,” Go began in his speech.
(FAPSA president Eleazardo Kasilag wrote and informed me that many teachers have been affected by Covid-19. I told him that we would find a way to help them.)

“Marami pong nawalan ng trabaho. ‘Yung mga enrollees — mga estudyante mahigit sa kanila naglilipatan sa public school at ‘yung mga estudyante sa private school, balita ko ay more or less nasa 50 percent na lang dahil hirap tayo sa panahong ito,” he said.
(A lot of workers lost their jobs. Several students from private schools have transferred to public schools and only 50 percent remained in private schools.)

During the activity, selected beneficiaries were provided with bicycles so they could safely commute amid limited public transportation. Others were given tablets for their children to use to participate in the online classes being implemented by schools under the new blended learning approach.

The Department of Labor and Employment extended financial assistance to 300 private school teachers through the Covid-19 Adjustment Measures Program under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act. It also provided similar aid to 50 displaced informal sector workers through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program.

Go thanked Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and the labor department, DOLE-National Capital Region director Sarah Buena Mirasol, Manila Mayor Francisco Domagoso and Kasilag, among others, for responding to the needs of displaced workers and advocating for the welfare of educators.

Go said he had urged Bello to lend support to the country’s private school teachers after the passage of the Bayanihan 2 Act.

He reiterated that he would continue to link the public to the President and the national government to giving aid to 60,000 private school teachers and their families.

Go, who serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Health, pledged that he and President Rodrigo Duterte would prioritize front-liners, like soldiers, police officers, once a vaccine against Covid-19 is available.

He encouraged everyone to have hope and continue to do their part in helping the country battle the pandemic.

Go also expressed his concern for families who are struggling to provide children the necessary means and support to adapt to new learning techniques, such as distance and modular learning, in schools to ensure the safety of students. (PNA)