The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines launched on June 5 its ‘Bantay Benepisyo at Karapatan’ campaign to ensure that teachers’ rights are respected during their school break. The break will last from June 1 to June 30 during which teachers cannot be assigned duties and activities.

This policy was contained in Department of Education Order 003, s. 2024. ACT Philippines and its regional branches will monitor the implementation of the said order by gathering reports from their members and fellow teachers. They want to ensure that DepEd recognizes teachers’ right to adequate rest, among others.

“It is clear from the [mandate] that June is reserved for the teachers’ full break and they should not be required to do any forced labor, admission, or attendance at any work or school activity during this period,” Vladimer Quetua, ACT president, said.

Ruby Bernardo, president of the ACT National Capital Region Union, said that teachers should be assured of 84 days of Proportional Vacation Pay (PVP) every year, and that every additional work assigned to and accepted by a teacher should be appropriately compensated with overtime or overload pay and service credits.

“Every year we notice that this is reduced and the rightful credits are not given to teachers due to limited service credits,” said Bernardo. He said that the hotline set up by ACT Philippines will help to ensure and monitor this.

Quetua added, in the coming July 1 to July 28, teachers should be vigilant and ensure that they are given 1.25 service credits per day.