DepEd ARMM releases millions worth of back pay to teachers

COTABATO CITY, Philippines - The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has started releasing millions worth of “back pays” to public school teachers that have not been paid of their salaries under past administrations.

The unpaid salaries were retroactive until 2007, according to lawyer Jamar Kulayan, secretary of the ARMM’s Department of Education.

"The backwages amounting to P146 million is now ready for distribution," according to DepEd ARMM Regional Secretary Jamar Kulayan.

Kulayan said the more than 200 public school teachers in Lanao del Sur have already received their back pays while another batch of 50 teachers in Basilan are slated to receive their unclaimed salaries amounting to P4.8 million.

Eleven more teachers in Lamitan City will receive their backwages amounting to P2.2 million within the week, Kulayan said. 

About 100 teachers in the island province of Sulu are to receive backwages amounting to P13.6 million, while 60 mentors in the province of Tawi-Tawi are also to get P18.6 million worth of pay.

Teachers in Maguindanao's two school districts received their unpaid salaries amounting to P13.8 million Wednesday.

Kulayan said most of the teachers compensated have not received their salaries completely since 2007.

State auditors, speaking on condition of anonymity, blame mismanagement of the DepEd-ARMM in the past as main reason for the non-payment of the salaries of teachers in the autonomous region.

Hataman assumed as ARMM caretaker in December 2011 and has since been addressing the fiscal and administrative problems plaguing many line agencies and support offices under the Office of the Regional Governor, touted as the “Little Malacañang” of the autonomous region.