CHED welcomes Congressional approval on one-time cash aid for teachers

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) commended Saturday members of the House of Representatives and the Senate for agreeing to provide a one-time cash aid to teachers under a new economic stimulus measure geared to help the Philippines recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III said the financial assistance would be of help to teachers, especially those who work under a “no teach, no pay” scheme.

“The Commission commends the education champions in both the House and Senate who supported the call of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) as manifested by CHED in the committee hearings,” De Vera said in a statement.

Senators and congressmen have approved the inclusion of a one-time cash aid for teachers in the Bayanihan to Recover as One bill or Bayanihan 2, which succeeds the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act—a law that granted President Rodrigo Duterte additional powers to respond the the COVID-19 crisis earlier this year.

Teachers, according to the CHED chairman were not included in any social amelioration program of the government.

“We know the funds are limited and that we cannot fully compensate for their lost income during the pandemic, but that this small assistance is President Rodrigo Duterte’s promise to give some form of assistance for the heroic efforts of our teachers who continued to teach students using flexible learning during the pandemic,” De Vera said.

The Bayanihan 2 bill has been approved by both chambers of Congress and is subject of final deliberations. A final copy of the bill is expected to be transmitted to President Duterte’s office for signature soon.