DepEd, GSIS ink deal on mentors’ concerns

The Department of Education and the Government Service Insurance System signed on Monday an agreement that would address concerns and provide proper services to teachers and non-teaching employees.

Under the memorandum of agreement, GSIS will establish dedicated express lanes exclusively for teachers and non-teaching personnel at the DepEd central office in Pasig City and its regional branches nationwide.

"This memorandum of agreement confirms our commitment to provide solutions to the concerns of our employees and to move forward with the renewed and stronger institutional collaborations anchored on our sheered objective to best serve Filipinos and our country," Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said in her speech.

"For many years, despite efforts to address this issue, they continue to be one of the top complaints of DepEd employees," she added.

According to her, financial security, among many others, is the source of anxiety for teachers and other DepEd employees.

"Today, with the steps to unburden our employees from emotional distress nagpapasalamat po kami sa mahabang payment period at sa mababang interest," she said.

Duterte said that GSIS complaints are one of the matters that she acted with urgency after taking the position of secretary of DepEd last year.

"These are the initial steps towards facilitating easier and more direct access to GSIS services to teachers and other DepEd personnel," she said.

Duterte said the establishment of express lane is a big help to teachers and other DepEd employees, especially those who are assigned in the far-flung schools.