Housing for public teachers pushed

CEBU, Philippines - The lack of housing among public elementary and high school teachers has got the attention of the Cebu provincial board, which supported the appeal of the Department of Education to help the teachers have their own house and lot to alleviate their living conditions.

Provincial board members Juan Bolo and Julian Daan, who introduced a resolution to the provincial board, said some of the public school teachers in both elementary and high schools are just renting houses.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus who confirmed these problems appealed to local government officials to help teachers have their own house and lot to improve their living conditions and at the same time help the education sector as a whole.

Bolo and Daan shared the observation of Lapuz who said the matter needs immediate response from local government officials.

Lapus made the appeal following the forging of a Memorandum of Agreement between the DepEd and the city government of Bogo for the provision of a house and lot package to some 106 teachers and DepEd non-teaching personnel of the city.

The MOA signing also coincided with the ground breaking ceremonies of the teachers’ village in GBuac, Barangay Don Pedron in Bogo City, which will be facilitated through affordable schemes under the Pag-Ibig Fund.

The PB resolution cited that in the agreement, the local government unit of Bogo identified and provided the land site for the project.

On the other hand, the total development and construction cost within the socialized housing level is P400,000 maximum and the loan will be payable in equal monthly amortization for 30 years at 6 percent per year as DepEd will facilitate loan repayable through salary deduction.

The project team composed of representatives from the DepEd, local government units and Pag-ibig, should be primarily responsible in monitoring, coordinating and ensuring that the project is implemented and accomplished within the agreed timeframe and in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.

Bolo and Daan said that when they provide teachers opportunities to own their homes, they will not only alleviate their living conditions by offering security and stability to their family, but also boost their morale. — Jose P. Sollano/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)