Teachers clamor for hazard pay in wake of Agusan hostage crisis

The recently concluded hostage crisis in Agusan del Sur has prompted a teachers’ group to remind government of paying teachers in conflict areas the much needed “hardship allowance." Citing the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Republic Act No. 4670), the Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) said the allowance should be equivalent to 25 percent of their basic pay. “No doubt, teachers are exposed [to] hardships and hazards in these areas and therefore must be properly compensated," TDC chairman Benjo Basas said in a statement over the weekend. Basas lamented that the law is “1966 vintage," yet its implementing guidelines were promulgated only in December 2007. He said the guidelines released by the Budget Department identifies the presence of armed conflict in work area as one of the hazard posts which entitles the teachers and school personnel a special hardship allowance. “But even that is not an assurance that teachers in the so-called areas of armed conflict enjoy this privilege. In most cases, this not implemented," he added. The TDC challenged the DepEd to start the inventory of all those who may possibly be qualified for the special hardship allowances. It also reiterated its demand for more security forces within the vicinity of schools in such areas where armed conflict is a threat to the safety and welfare of teachers. The TDC said the Agusan crisis, which ended on April 6 when the hostage-takers “abandoned" the captives, is the fifth major abduction case involving teachers since year 2009 in Mindanao alone. In December 2009, 75 people, including teachers were held hostage in Agusan del Sur by armed men led by Ondo Perez. Perez is a relative of the perpetrators of the recently concluded hostage crisis, who were demanding his release from jail. Basas said that exposure such dangers may prompt teachers refuse assignments in those places. “Such scenario would lead to [a] failure.., [in the delivery of] basic rights of Filipino children to education," he said. — MRT/VS, GMA News