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Public school teachers are now considered more empowered in expressing their demands to the government, especially with regards to their decades-old call for higher compensation.

‘We are tied to the P50 pay per day from 2024 to 2027 under the law,’ said Vladimer Quetua, chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT). ‘If we will follow this law, while prices of goods and services are skyrocketing, we were hoping for some sort of an upgrade.’

Inadequate wages

On Oct. 3, as part of the observance of World Teachers’ Day, teachers across Metro Manila staged a mass walkout again to underscore the longtime challenges of their profession-inadequate wages, shortage of learning facilities and materials, and an education budget yet to meet the standards set by the United Nations.

The mass action also doubled as an expression of outrage over the systemic corruption being uncovered lately in public works projects.

Quetua said the clamor continues for teachers to be granted an entry-level salary of P50,000, much more than current P30,000.

Pending bills

He said there is a pending bill at the House of Representatives-House Bill No. 203-which pushes for the P50,000 minimum.

Another pending bill, House Bill No. 2903, seeks an across-the-board pay increase of P15,000, he added. In response to the calls made by the teachers who took part in Friday’s mass walkout, the Department of Education (DepEd) on Saturday said it continues to acknowledge their right to peaceful assembly and the significance of the issues being raised.

‘We likewise acknowledge that under the leadership of President Marcos, the government continues to champion the welfare of public servants-including our teachers-through reforms like Executive Order No. 64, which, last year, delivered a significant and much-needed boost to educators’ wages,’ said Dennis Legaspi, chief media relations officer of DepEd.

Legaspi was referring to the updated salary schedule that was applied to all civilian government personnel in all branches of the government.

The DepEd has been holding dialogues with all teacher representatives to address the concerns in a collaborative manner. ‘Rest assured, the DepEd leadership is not only listening but is committed to taking meaningful action,’ Legaspi said.

Go past ‘lip service’

For Quetua, however, the agency should now match its reassuring statements with concrete steps. ‘We welcome their cknowledgment, but this would just be another lip service from the government. What we want are actions from the Department of Education,’ he said.

‘Piles of cash are being wasted in the hands of corrupt officials while teachers are being burdened by the low wages (and) struggle with the rising prices of commodities,’ Quetua said. ‘From the mass walkout, we saw how the teachers are now more motivated and empowered to express the longtime demand,’ he noted.

The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) signed a memorandum of agreement to formalize and strengthen their collaboration in delivering high-quality, technical-vocational education in senior high school (SHS).

The primary objective of the agreement is to ensure that the SHS Technical Professional (TechPro) track complies with Tesda training regulations, and that DepEd teachers possess the requisite competencies and certifications to effectively deliver the technical-vocational courses.

By aligning institutional processes, resources, and standards, the collaboration seeks to ensure the consistent delivery of quality-assured curricula by qualified educators, ultimately supporting the development of students’ foundational and technical skills. This will enhance their employability and facilitate a seamless transition to further education, training, or employment.

Flexible options

Under the agreement, DepEd is responsible for identifying and endorsing SHS TechPro teachers for enrollment in Tesda’s Trainers Methodology I (TM1) programs, as well as those that need updating in their qualifications. The department will also develop learning resources in consultation with Tesda, monitor the implementation of the curricula, and ensure that SHS learners undergo assessment for national certification.

For its part, Tesda will offer flexible access to training courses for teachers, including online and in-person options for DepEd teachers. Tesda will provide crucial technical assistance to align DepEd’s curricula with its official Training Regulations, ensuring that learners acquire industry-aligned skills.

The agreement, signed by Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Tesda Director General Kiko Benitez aims to ensure the work readiness and global competitiveness of Filipino graduates.

‘Our goal has always been to ensure that every Senior High School graduate is equipped not just with knowledge, but with real-world skills. This partnership with Tesda is a critical step in fulfilling that promise,’ Angara said. Benitez recognized Tesda role in the partnership ‘to ensure that the skills being taught are the skills that industries actually need. By embedding our Training Regulations and certification processes directly into the Senior High School system, we are creating a seamless pathway for students from education to employment. This collaboration carves the path for industries to have a pipeline of skilled talent ready to contribute from Day One.’

Long-standing mismatch

The partnership addresses the longstanding need to resolve the mismatch between DepEd’s SHS programs and Tesda’s guidelines. Recommendations by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) have consistently emphasized the need for alignment between DepEd’s and Tesda’s programs, including its push to increase funding for the assessment of SHS-TVL graduates.

Findings in the EDCOM 2 Year Two Report showed that, while about 53.9 percent of SHS graduates pursue higher education, a significant number enter the workforce in private establishments or informal employment.

This is further supported by a 2023 report of the Philippine Institute of Development Studies which found that children induced to attend SHS tend to earn higher wages and are more likely to be employed in middle-skill jobs compared with junior high school graduates.

DepEd and Tesda agree to undertake joint monitoring of SHS-TechPro programs offered in DepEd schools, as well as to map public and private technical vocational institutions, with the aim of strategically expanding the Joint Delivery Voucher Program (JDVP) to enable students to pursue a wider range of technical-vocational electives.

The two agencies also commit to engaging with industry stakeholders to ensure curriculum relevance and provide valuable work immersion opportunities for students. The agreement will be effective for a period of three years upon signing, with DepEd and Tesda working towards enhancing technical-vocational offerings under the SHS pilot come June 2026.

While Rochelle Pangilinan has been acting for quite some time, she considers ‘Child No. 82’ as ‘food for my soul,’ as it allowed her to explore more of herself as an actress.

‘Child No. 82,’ an action-adventure film that marks the full-length directorial debut of Tim Rone Villanueva, tells the story of Max (JM Ibarra) finding out he is the son of the late action star Maximo ‘Boy Kana’ Maniego Sr. (Vhong Navarro). Max is in a race against time to prove that he is indeed the biological son, much to the worry of his mother (Rochelle Pangilinan).

‘Itong Cinemalaya, pangarap kong makasama rito. Habang kumakain kami [noong press con] at tinitingnan ko ang mga kasama ko rito, iniisip ko na matataba talaga ang utak nila. ‘Child No. 82′ is food for my soul. Gusto ko talagang gumaling sa pag-arte, at isa ito sa paraan na nakikita ko na mas gagaling ka pa dapat,’ Pangilinan told Inquirer Entertainment on the sidelines of the festival’s launch.

(It’s been my dream to be part of Cinemalaya. While eating, I observed the others here in this festival. I’m in awe of how great their minds are. ‘Child No. 82’ is food for my soul. I always wanted to grow as an actress, and this is one of the ways where I can improve.)

As a mom to her daughter Shiloh, Pangilinan confessed that she doesn’t want most of the film’s events to happen in real life, especially when it comes to figuring out one’s identity.

‘Maraming makakarelate rito na nanay na lumalaban araw-araw para lang buhayin ang anak nila at siyempre, ang anak nilang Gen Z na maraming pinagdadaanan pero [nonetheless], masaya pa rin silang magi-ina,’ she said.

‘Maraming eksena rito na pinagdaanan ni JM ay ayokong mangyari sa anak ko, isa sa kinatatakutan ko ‘yun. Isa sa natutunan ko rito bilang isang working mom ay sisiguraduhin na lagi akong nasa tabi ng anak ko,’ she continued.

(A lot of moms can relate to this, especially to those who fight every single day to raise their children. Gen Zs who also go through so much can also relate to this. But to clarify, we have a happy mom-and-son relationship here. I don’t want my daughter to go through the experiences that JM has been through here. It’s one of the things I’m scared about. What I also learned as a working mom is to always be by my child’s side.) The actress opened up about learning from Villanueva, her co-stars, and the film’s creatives, sharing that Villanueva is the kind of filmmaker who focuses on solutions whenever problems arise.

‘Kapag may nangyayaring problema, laging solusyon. Hindi niya iniisip ang problema, sino may kasalanan, sa kanya ko nakuha ‘yun. Nagagamit ko siya sa tunay na buhay,’ she said.

‘Nakakatuwa lalo na sa mga bumuo ng pelikula, nag-pay off lahat ng pinaghirapan. Ibang klase sila. Lahat sila, alam nila ang ginagawa nila kahit kanino ka magtanong sa set. Alam kung anong kukunan, professional lahat, ayokong matapos ang araw. Kahit mahirap ang eksena, masaya kami,’ she added.

(When problems arise, he always focuses on the solutions. He doesn’t stay on the problem and who is at fault, I got that from him. I apply that trait in real life now. It makes me happy seeing the hard work of everyone involved pay off. They’re so good. They know what they’re doing – no matter whom you ask in the set. They know where to shoot. Everyone was so professional. I didn’t want the day to end. Even if the scenes were hard, we were happy.)

When asked if she’s ready to accept an acting award, Pangilinan said: ‘Hindi ko siya ine-expect pero kung binigay sa’kin, sino ako para tumanggi? Extra blessing ‘yun. Hindi ako umaasa pero [sana] mapanood [lahat ng pelikula], enough na ‘yun for me.’

(I don’t expect to receive an award. But if they would give it to me, who am I to pass it on? It’s an extra blessing. I don’t want to hope for it too much, but I hope I can watch all of this year’s films. That’s enough for me.)

Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon urged the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to look into the personalities linked to the anomalous flood-control projects during the Senate and House investigations, following the resignation of Senator Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson as chair of the Senate blue ribbon committee.

‘The departure of Senator Lacson from the Blue Ribbon Committee should now compel the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to conduct a broad, unrelenting and open sweep of all individuals named in both Senate and House hearings, to determine with precision their respective liabilities, and to recommend the filing of appropriate charges,’ Ridon said in a statement on Sunday. According to Ridon, Lacson’s leadership in the said committee ‘yielded the most consequential testimonies and evidence’ compared to all the subsequent hearings on the alleged flood-control anomalies, particularly from the affidavits of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials.

He cited that the testimonies of ex-DPWH District Engineer Henry Alcantara, ex-DPWH Undersecretary Robert Bernardo, and ex-DPWH Assistant District Engineers Brice Hernandez and Jaypee Mendoza all revealed before the Senate that contractors, DPWH officials, legislators and executive officials are involved in the controversy.

‘Senator Lacson’s Blue Ribbon Committee hearings exposed not only members of Congress as principal participants in the capture of the national budget at every stage of the budget process but also the involvement of executive officials, particularly in the capture of unprogrammed appropriations, which fall solely within the authority of the executive branch,’ Ridon declared. Apart from his wishes that the ICI would call on all the individuals named during the hearings, he also asked for the committee to publicize its investigation.

‘ICI should open its proceedings to the public, establish rules on when proceedings may be held in executive session,’ Ridon told the Inquirer.

Ridon also wished Lacson well, adding that he is sure the senator ‘will continue to pursue his advocacies for good governance and accountability in whatever capacity he chooses in the future.’

Lacson stepped down as the chair of the blue ribbon committee on Sunday following criticisms from his fellow Senators that the probe into the anomalous flood-control projects was not being handled properly. /mr

Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 9 dismantled a drug den and arrested five individuals, including two minors, in Barangay Sta. Maria here on Friday (Oct 3).

PDEA-9 regional director Bryan Babang said the operation was on account of a search warrant issued by a local court.

In the course of the search, the operating team found and eventually seized 16 heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected meth weighing around 10 grams with an estimated market value of P68,000.00, along with other drug-use paraphernalia like disposable lighters with improvised needles, aluminum foil strips, scooping devices, and a glass tube, Babang said.

Babang identified the arrested suspects as alias Julius, 36, a construction worker who is alleged to be the one maintaining the drug den, alias Bryan, 27, and alias Glenia, 57.

The two minors were turned over to social welfare authorities for appropriate intervention.

The arrested suspects are to face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Babang said.

An international organization monitoring the situation of non-Moro indigenous peoples (NMIPs) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), has condemned the recent attack against a Teduray elder in Maguindanao del Sur and called for greater protection for the minority tribe.

The Climate Conflict Action (CCA) said in a statement on Friday that since 2019, Rommel Lupos was the 102nd non-Moro indigenous person killed in BARMM.

Lupos was beheaded by still unidentified men on Sept. 30, the eve of observance of Indigenous Peoples Month this October. According to the Timuay Justice and Governance, the indigenous political structure of the tribe, the suspects in the brutality are likely those who had warned Lupos to vacate from his farm as they wanted to occupy the land.

‘Each killing is a reminder that promises of protection remain empty, and justice remains out of reach,’ the CCA said.

It asserted that ‘without justice, there is no protection.’

CCA said the BARMM Indigenous Peoples Code has failed to protect those it claims to defend, and neither has the entire security infrastructure of the government nor the leaders and custodians of the BARMM government.

The group re-echoed the sentiments of the non-Moro indigenous youth who said: ‘This violence is not random-it is systemic.’

The CCA said the killings were designed to sow fear, drive the Teduray away from their ancestral lands, erase their identity, and elicit another round of revenge killings.

‘We need results beyond mere statements. We need accountability. The government must deliver justice for NMIPs. They need concrete actions and policies that will make them feel more secure in their everyday life – to be able to farm their lands, to go to school without fear, and work towards a bright future for their families and generations to come,’ the CCA pointed out.

Twice member Jeongyeon may miss the group’s world tour stops in Singapore and Malaysia, following her absence from the Philippines concert.

‘We cannot confirm whether Jeongyeon will appear at the Singaporean and Malaysian shows. What we can say for sure at the moment is that she will not be performing at the Bulacan show,’ a JYP Entertainment official told The Korea Herald, Friday, Oct. 3.

On Thursday, the agency announced on the group’s fan platform that the singer would not join the Twice ‘This is For’ World Tour Bulacan concert scheduled for Saturday. She had performed at the group’s concert in Macao on Sept. 27-28.

‘We sincerely apologize to fans who have been waiting for the concert for a long time. This was an unavoidable decision made with the artist’s health and recovery as our top priority,’ JYP Entertainment said.

Jeongyeon had been active in the group’s sixth world tour since it kicked off in Seoul on July 19, performing in four Japanese cities and most recently in Macao. News of her sudden absence just a week after the Macao shows has heightened concern among fans.

The singer has faced recurring health challenges over the years. She underwent surgery for a herniated disc in 2020 and went on hiatus in 2021 after being diagnosed with panic disorder. Though she returned in June 2022, she took another short break two months later due to side effects from steroid treatment and recurring panic attack symptoms. /ra

For a second time, Annabelle McDonnell is representing the Philippines in the international arena, as she receives her official sash bearing her country’s name for The Miss Globe 2025 pageant.

At the ‘sashing ceremony held in Albania on Oct. 4 (Oct. 5 in Manila), the delegates received their official sashes from reigning queen Diana Moreno.

McDonnell, who had previously competed in the inaugural Miss Charm pageant in 2023, has earned the right to compete in The Miss Globe 2025 pageant after winning in the recent Binibining Pilipinas competition.

Her first International pageant was a surprise appointment that came after she finished as first runner-up in the 2022 Miss Universe Philippines pageant.

McDonnell took over the Miss Charm Philippines title after Ashley Subijano Montenegro abdicated the throne to seek another national title. She finished second overall in the international pageant.

The Bb. Pilipinas queen appeared at The Miss Globe’s sashing ceremony in a white Renee Salud gown, with a matching cape that draped over her arms.

‘Some snaps from last night [stars emoji]. did you know we’re going on a road trip outside of Tirana for this year’s edition of [The Miss Globe]?’ McDonnell said when she posted her photos on social media.

She hopes to win the title four years after Maureen Montagne brought home the crown in 2021. Ann Colis was the first Bb. Pilipinas beauty to win in the international pageant’s current iteration. She received the crown in 2015.

The Miss Globe 2025 finale show will be held in Tirana, Albania, on Oct. 15 (Oct. 16 in Manila). Montagne will be one of the hosts of the ceremonies. /ra