October 13, 2021 – The Department of Education (DepEd) started releasing the World Teachers Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) in the amount of Php 1,000 to all public school teachers nationwide on October 5.

“Sa World Teachers Day ay talagang binibigyan natin ng gift ang teachers na P1,000 each and this amounted to 910,000,000 na which is due all our teachers and staff on this very important day,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said during the EduAksyon virtual press conference.

Introduced during the administration of Sec. Briones and supported by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the WTDIB aims to acknowledge the crucial role of educators during the pandemic and appreciate their dedication and commitment to their noble profession.

According to Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla, the Department has processed the payment as early as August and started releasing the incentive by October 5 as required by the budget law.

“Yung iba po, kung magkakaroon man ng delay, it would be probably because of their quarantine status, banking hours, remittance of the cash payment but huwag po silang mag-alala yung October 5 is the start of the giving but the processing, we started as early as August,” Usec. Sevilla said.

Meanwhile, Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, Project Management, and External Partnerships Tonisito Umali Esq. noted that there was a celebratory program happened last October 5 in Lahug, Cebu to commemorate the World and National Teachers’ Day.

“Ang focus po natin dito ay yung pagkilala sa mga guro po natin. There will be AVPs, video presentation highlighting the sacrifices of our teachers to make sure that our basic education learning continuity plan or learning shall continue,” Usec. Umali shared.

He also emphasized that for the first time, higher education institution teachers including professors in colleges and universities and TESDA instructors are encouraged to join the event.

Together with the private sector, the Department has prepared various activities, such as informative webinars about different government agencies’ benefits and programs and virtual Teachers Got Talent, and perks and discounts from restaurants, theme parks, and museums for the teachers to enjoy.

By virtue of Presidential Proclamation 242, the National Teachers’ Month runs from September 5 to October 5 of every year.

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