Teachers’ group slams Marcos over flood, education woes

A teachers' group has called out the Marcos administration for failing to deliver on its promise to address widespread flooding as it continues to disrupt school operations.

The Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) urged the government to stand by its commitment, made during the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), to lessen the impact of floods through a comprehensive flood control program.

“Ang nasaksihan natin ilang araw pagkatapos ng SONA 2024 ay kabaligtaran. At nitong nakaraang linggo lamang, hindi naman kalakasan ang mga bagyo, pero matindi ang naging pagbaha kaya napilitan ang mga lokal na pamahalaan at maging ang Malacañang na magsuspinde ng klase nang buong linggo,” Benjo Basas, the group's national chairperson, said.

Basas pointed to President Marcos’ claim in July 2024 that over 5,500 flood control projects had already been completed, with many more ongoing.

“Aba, kung ganoon karami ang flood control project at binigyan pa ng napakalaking budget ang DPWH ngayong 2025, bakit parang mas lumala ang mga pagbaha na kahit ang mga matataas na lugar, kahit pa mga bundok, ay binabaha na rin?” Basas asked.

He emphasized that while climate change is a global reality, the Philippines — as one of the most vulnerable countries — must establish and enforce policies to mitigate the consequences of extreme weather, ranging from typhoons and torrential rainfall to drought and other unusual weather patterns.

Basas also urged President Marcos to ensure accountability and proper implementation of government-funded projects.

“Dapat, Mr. President, kada piso na ginugugol sa flood-control program ay napupunta sa layunin nito,” he said.

Highlighting the impact of natural calamities on education, Basas said teachers, students, and families are left to shoulder the burden of poor disaster preparedness.

“Hirap na hirap ang mga paaralan, ang mga guro, ang mga magulang at mga bata kung paano haharapin itong mga epekto ng bagyo, ulan, at baha. Lagi na lang bang kami sa ibaba ang magdurusa at mag-iisip ng paraan, gayong nasa gobyerno ang pondo at kapangyarihan?” he said.

Basas also said the apparent confusion between the Department of Education and local government units regarding class suspension protocols underscores the need for clearer and more strategic national guidance from authorities.

The TDC is also renewing its call for broad educational reforms. The group is advocating for a substantial salary increase and better benefits for education workers, job security for private school teachers, books for all subjects and grade levels from Kindergarten to Grade 12, adequate classrooms and operational toilets with water supply, reformed insurance policies under GSIS, legal assistance for teachers, provision of laptops for every teacher, and a simplified and accessible system for performance evaluation and promotions.

“Ilan sa mga isyung ito ay nabanggit na at naipangako na rin noong mga nakaraang SONA, pero hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin natutugunan,” Basas said.

The TDC also challenged President Marcos to uphold the constitutionally mandated prioritization of education in the national budget, something the group says the government failed to enforce in the 2025 General Appropriations Act.

“Malinaw naman ang utos ng Saligang Batas na ibigay ang pinakamataas na bahagi ng pambansang badyet sa edukasyon, pero nilabag ito ng mismong gobyerno ngayong 2025. Kaya kung talagang mahalaga kay President Marcos ang kapakanan at kinabukasan ng mga kabataan at ng bansa, ang pagkakamaling ito ay dapat niyang itama,” Basas said.