DepEd bares shortage of public school teachers

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Department of Education (DepEd) admitted yesterday that there is a shortage of about 47,000 teachers in public elementary schools across the country.

Jesus Mateo, DepEd assistant secretary, said that the shortage is due to the lack of budget for the salaries of new teachers.

“The DepEd is seeking an increase of its budget to cope with the shortage of teachers in elementary and high schools,” he said.

Mateo added that for next year, the department needs an additional P42 billion in its budget to address the backlog.

The amount would increase the current budget from P232 billion to P280 billion.

He said the department is also coordinating with local government units to help hire teachers paid from local government funds.

Mateo said at least 81,000 teachers in public schools are locally hired or paid by the local governments under the school board funds.

The DepEd is expecting some 21.3 million elementary and high school students to troop to their classrooms when classes start on June 4.

PCG also ready for school opening

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) would raise its security alert and reactivate its Public Assistance Centers (PAC) in different seaports in the country, anticipating the return of students for the opening of classes.

PCG commandant Vice Admiral Edmund Tan said that beginning Monday, May 28, they would be mobilizing their personnel in support of the Department of Transportation and Communication’s (DOTC) Ligtas Byahe Back-to-School Program.

The PACs, which would be composed of representatives from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), PCG and other stakeholders, would be on site to render immediate assistance to passengers.

The PCG said that it would also heighten its alert and beef up security in anticipation of the influx of passengers at the ports.

PCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Algier Ricafrente said that while there would be an increase in the volume of passengers, he believes that the volume would not be too heavy since some of the travelers from the provinces have already returned to Manila. – Perseus Echeminada, Evelyn Macairan