ACT NCR UNION Pasig Chapter

Eid Mubarak! ✨

Peace, Love and Freedom to all our Muslin brothers and sisters 🌙

From the river to the sea Palestine will be free! 🇸🇩

Ipagtanggol ang Pambansang Soberanya, Labanan ang Imperyalismong US!

Habang ginugunita natin ang ika-126 na anibersaryo ng proklamasyon ng kalayaan ng Pilipinas mula sa kolonyal na pamumuno ng Espanya, nananawagan ang Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)-NCR Union sa lahat ng Pilipino na pataasin ang pakikibaka laban sa imperyalismo at ipagtanggol ang ating bayan laban sa dayuhang interes. Ang deklarasyon ng kalayaan noong June 12, 1898 ay nakamit sa pamamagitan ng mga sakripisyo ng mga bayani ng rebolusyon na lumaban sa dayuhang pananakop at pang-aapi. Ngunit higit sa isang siglo na ang lumipas, patuloy pa rin ang pagdurusa ng sambayanang Pilipino sa ilalim ng imperyalistang dominasyon - mula sa matagal nang kolonyal at neo-kolonyal na paghahari ng Estados Unidos.

Ang kamakailang ika-25 anibersaryo ng Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) sa Estados Unidos ay nagpapakita kung paano nananatiling sunud-sunuran ang pamahalaang Pilipino sa mga interes ng imperyalistang Amerika sa rehiyon ng Asya-Pasipiko. Nananatiling Estados Unidos ang pinakamaking banta sa seguridad at kasarinlan ng bansa. Katunayaan ay sinasangkalan nito ang agresibong okupasyon ng Tsina sa ating mga karagatan sa West Philippine Sea na isa pang hayagang paglabag sa karapatang soberanya ng Pilipinas na pinipiling baliwalain ng dating rehimeng Duterte at ng kasalukuyang rehimeng Marcos Jr., upang higit na maipwesto at mailatag ang pasilidad militar ng Amerika sa iba't ibang bahagi ng bansa. Ang siyam na lugar sa bansa kung saan nakabase ang Enhanced Defense Cooperation (EDCA) ay nagpapakita ng latag ng presensya ng militar ng Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas.

Hindi maipagkakaila ang direkta at mga di-direktang pangingibabaw nito sa pamamagitan ng pag-iral ng mga neoliberal na polisiya sa edukasyon. Pilit na ipinapasok ito sa ating edukasyon upang makagawa ng murang lakas-paggawa at sunud-sunurang manggagawa para sa mga dayuhang merkado sa halip na magtayo ng sariling industriya sa bansa. Ang mga asignaturang nagpapalaganap ng pagmamahal sa bayan tulad ng Kasaysayan at Kultura ng Pilipinas ay binabalewala at binababa ang halaga. Ang diwa ng bansang Pilipino ay pinahihina. Sa patakaraan sa gobyerno tumitining ang pagpipiga sa paggawa at pagpasok ng austerity measures sa serbisyo gaya ng Result-Based Management System na siyang sinuspinde ng gobyerno ngayon.

Ang ating mamamayan ay nananatiling walang tunay na kalayaan hangga't patuloy na sinisira ng mga dayuhang korporasyon ang ating likas na yaman na dapat sana'y para sa kapakanan ng publiko. Ang mga komunidad sa kanayunan ay nagdurusa sa militarisasyon sa gitna ng huwad na kampanya ng gobyerno laban sa mga pwersang nagtataguyod ng pambansang demokratikong interes.

Sa Araw ng Kalayaan na ito, hinihikayat namin ang lahat ng g**o, kawani sa edukasyon, at ang malawak na sambayanang Pilipino na magkaisa at labanan ang mga imperyalistang pakana ng parehong US at Tsina sa ating bayan. Dapat nating igiit ang isang tunay na independiyenteng patakarang panlabas na nagtataguyod ng pambansang interes na nakabatay sa makatarungang kapayapaan, hindi sa imperyalistang dominasyon at kontrol. Mabuhay ang pakikibaka para sa pambansang demokrasya at kalayaan!

ATIN ANG PINAS, US CHINA LAYAS!

Official Statement on Independence Day:

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐒 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

In the continuing battle of imperialist countries-- China and the US-- for the expansion of hegemony, the Philippines continuously puts herself in looming dangers by walking through threads of incapacity to build and insincerity to adopt independent foreign policies. This is evidently seen in the proposed Charter Change that primarily benefits foreign powers.

Last April to May, the Philippines hosted the largest joint military exercises with US and its allies, comprising of about 15,000 militar troops. This has become a strategic step of US machinery in waging a threat for wars in the Asia-Pacific against China, which is expanding its military influence around Taiwan and Southeast Asian waters, including the Philippines. The incapacity of the Philippines to hold its own sovereignty and self-determination is be rooted in its history, right after Independence Day against the Spanish colonizers.

A continuing import-dependent, export-oriented economy will be intensified by the Charter Change that the Marcos Administration prioritizes. This orientation is brought about by the hundred-year hegemony of the US in economy, politics, culture and foreign affairs, marking the Philippines as its neo-colony with unequal relations. It is not surprising that war has always been at our doorstep.

Primarily, the US hijacked the supposed independence obtained from the Spaniards by the 1896 Revolution. US imperialism continues to show its utmost presence as the leading imperialist country by backing a puppet regime in the Philippines for its self-serving interests while presenting itself as an allied entity. No other superpower but the US alone was able to pe*****te the military, economic, cultural, and other vital institutions of many oppressed countries across the globe. The US, along with its allies and other countries flexing their hegemony, such as China, are the obstacles to achieving genuine independence.

Even the recent memorandum of Pres. Marcos Jr. that requires to recite the “Bagong Pilipinas” Hymn and Pledge in schools and offices, alongside the National Anthem and Patriotic Oath, manifests the regime’s servility to foreign interests as it ironically obligates its youth and people to swear before the national flag to hone their talents according to global standards, which necessarily at this age should be in accordance with the neoliberal framework of the imperialists. Marcos, prioritizing such trivial matter over the more pressing concerns of the people, didn’t disappoint in showing his incompetence by neglecting the concept of the hierarchy of needs essential to knowledge establishment among learners, which starts with providing dissent needs through a livable wage to the Filipino masses. The genuine “Bagong Pilipinas” will only be met with no crumbling stomach that can be achieved thru national industrialization and agrarian reform.

There is no genuine independence, there is no true “Bagong Pilipinas” today, as experienced by the people, private school teachers included. Private school teachers continue to face consistent labor exploitation amid inflation. Currently, the students’ vacation/s are ongoing; however, despite the required number of hours or tasks delegated during vacation, most private school teachers are unpaid or given an insufficient allowance because of their contractual status, where most institutions require 3 consecutive years or 6 semesters of service to be fulfilled prior to regularization. This scheme brought about by commercialized education will be further aggravated by Charter Change due to the establishment of profit-oriented schools that will be operated by foreign entities.

ACT Private School teachers call on the Marcos regime to uplift the marginalized sectors from dire conditions, including private school teachers, thru deviation from allowing all forms of foreign intervention, particularly of the US Imperialist. Address the root-cause of the armed conflict since the time of Bonifacio and 1896 revolution. Reject US military intervention in the Philippines! Abrogate VFA and EDCA! Junk the pro-imperialist Charter Change! Down with Imperialism!

📣𝐏𝐁𝐁 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄✨📣

We've just received confirmation from DBM NCR that the First Batch of FY 2022 PBB for DepEd, including NCR, was officially received on May 21, 2024. 📅 it's now undergoing evaluation, Stay tuned for updates. 💼

BINI FAN KA RIN BA MGA MAM AT SIR?! 🌸

𝐃𝐁𝐌 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓
11 June 2024

𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬' 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲

The Compensation and Benefits Study on the possible salary adjustment for government workers is ongoing, and is targeted to be finalized before the end of June 2024.

The comprehensive study thoroughly explores various aspects of the current compensation system, including salaries, benefits, and allowances, to identify areas for improvement. It involves benchmarking activities against the private sector, and seeks to establish a fair and sustainable pay structure that will enhance the welfare and productivity of government workers, considering the effects of inflation.

The results of the study will likewise serve as the basis for making necessary changes in the Total Compensation Framework of civilian government personnel to ensure fair and timely salary adjustment for government workers.

Once the study is finalized, the consultant commissioned by the Governance Commission for GOCCs (GCG) will present the accepted study results both to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the GCG.

The DBM assures its readiness to support the implementation of the salary adjustment once approved, to ensure a competitive and equitable compensation package for our civil servants. We will find a way to fund its implementation, subject to excess revenue to be collected by the national government.

# # #

PRESS RELEASE

ACT Teachers welcomes review of performance management systems, calls for abolition of RPMS

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro welcomed the move of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to streamline the government's Results-Based Performance Management System (RBPMS) and Performance-Based Incentive System (PBIS) through Executive Order No. 61. However, she reiterated the party-list's call to abolish the RPMS for teachers altogether.

"We support the review of these bureaucratic performance management systems that have only burdened our teachers with more paperwork instead of improving their well-being and quality of instruction," Castro said.

"However, we maintain that the RPMS for teachers should be abolished entirely, not just suspended as well as other systems that are abusive of government workers. The system is fundamentally flawed as it imposes unreasonable demands on our teachers who are already overworked and underpaid. We also call for the abolition of the Strategic Performance Management System (SPMS) that links employee performance with organizational performance for much the same reason," she added.

Castro cited House Resolution 64 filed by ACT Teachers calling for a comprehensive report on the implementation of the RPMS and performance-based bonus policies in the Department of Education.

"Our teachers have long complained about the heavy documentation requirements, unrealistic targets, and discriminatory performance-based bonuses under this system. It is high time we listen to their grievances and dismantle these oppressive policies," the lawmaker stressed.

The RPMS requires public school teachers to submit extensive documentation like lesson plans, instructional materials, and portfolios to evaluate their performance based on standards set by DepEd orders. However, many teachers decry the additional workload on top of their already daunting tasks.

"Instead of such dehumanizing metrics, we should focus on providing our teachers with decent salaries especially the P50,000 entry level for teachers , better learning environments for students, and sufficient operational funding for public schools," Castro concluded. # # #

𝐀𝐂𝐓-𝐍𝐂𝐑: 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐩 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧,𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT)-NCR Union welcomed the decision of the President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to suspend the implementation of the government’s Results-Based Performance Management System (RPMS) and Performance-Based Incentive System (PBIS) , which teachers have long decried as an added burden that does little to improve education quality.

"We welcome President Marcos's move to review RPMS as this has been a major source of stress and unnecessary workload for teachers after a school year" said Ruby Bernardo, ACT NCR Union president. “Patuloy kaming nananawagan sa gobyerno na tuluyan nang ibasura ang Regulasyong Pahirap kay Ma’am at Sir (RPMS) na ito. Malaon na itong pumipiga sa oras, lakas, at sariling rekurso naming mga g**o. Nananawagan din kami na ibasura ang Pagkabagal-bagal at Barat na Incentive System (PBIS). Napatunayan nang delayed, deceptive, discriminatory, at divisive lamang ang iskemang ito. Nananawagan din kami ng substansyal na sweldo at makatarungang benepisyo across-the-board.”

Bernardo, a public school teacher, emphasized that the RPMS and other similar neoliberal policies have only served to increase teachers' paperwork requirements without providing meaningful support or incentives for their professional growth and development.

"Instead of wasting time and resources on these empty and burdensome bureaucratic exercises, the government should focus on providing substantial salary increases and better working conditions for teachers," she stated. "A salary increase that is truly commensurate with our vital role in the society is long overdue and will go a long way in uplifting the morale and welfare of our educators. We have been calling for 50K for Teacher I and 33K for Salary Grade I. "

The ACT NCR Union leader also called on PBBM to engage with ACT NCR Union and ACT Philippines in crafting appraisal mechanisms that give justice to the teaching profession.

"We urge the President to listen to the voices of teachers on the ground and work closely with our unions and organizations," Bernardo said.

RPMS PPST
IBASURA!

IBASURA ang mga anti-Guro, anti-Mamamayang mga Polisiyang Neoliberal na ipinapatupad sa Pampublikong Sektor!

Sa kabila ng magandang hangarin ng mga katutubo na ipagtanggol ang kanilang lupang ninuno, kapalit nito ang pagbabansag sa kanila bilang mga terorista.

BASAHIN: tinyurl.com/3uyfb9sd 🔗

Dear Schools Division Office - Pasig City , may paaralan po tayo na nag-uutos pa rin ngayong buwan na ito sa GC ng mga teachers. May mga hindi pa nahahire at nag oOath na teachers ang pinaprivate message rin para utusan. Sana po ay mabisita nyo ito.

Gawaan ng
Class Program (SF7)?
🤔

Mga Kapadyak, Ka-Audax, Ka-Bikepacking, ka-Duathlete, ka- BDM, umaakyat ng Bundok, mga nagmamahal sa Bayan, alam ang nangyayari sa Rafah/Gaza, at nanghahangad ng tunay na kalayaan, TARA padyak tayo para sa Hustisya at Kalayaan.

Titser Vlad
09173204798

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/TqWyLQtwcBwyVxVM/?mibextid=oFDknk

Good news para ating mga g**o!

Nakatakda nang lagdaan bilang batas ang "Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act," o ang batas na magtataas sa kasalukuyang P5,000 teaching supplies allowance ng mga pampublikong g**o tungong P10,000.

Sa isang dokumentong ibinahagi ng Act Teachers Party-List, inilahad na inimbitahan ng Malacañang si Rep. France Castro para sa "ceremonial re-enactment of the signing into law" sa darating na Lunes, June 3.

Ayon sa ACT Teachers Partylist, unang ihinain ng grupo ang panukala noong 2011, o 13 taon na ang nakakaraan. Niratipika ng Senado at Kongreso ang panukala noong nakaraang Marso.

(Litrato ng dokumento mula sa ACT Teachers Partylist)

AFTER 13 YEARS, NAGING BATAS NA ANG DAGDAG TSA! 🥹🎉

Matapos ang matagal na pakikibaka at pagtutulak para patuloy na taasan ang Teaching Supplies Allowance (o chalk allowance) ng mga g**o, pasado na bilang batas ang "Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act" o ang batas na gagawing P10,000 ang kasalukuyang P5,000 na teaching supplies allowance ng kaguruan! 🥳😭

Sa dokumento, mababasa na iniimbitahan si ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro para sa Ceremonial Re-enactment ng pagsasabatas ng Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act.

Ang batas na ito ay unang finile ng ACT Teachers Partylist noong 2011 at ipinaglaban ng ilang taon hanggang sa maging opisyal na batas na ito ngayon. Hindi natin maaabot ito kundi dahil sa tulong ng mga nagsama-samang g**o na kumilos para ipaglaban ang kanilang sahod at benepisyo. Sa inyo ang tagumpay na ito, teachers! ✊👩‍🏫👨‍🏫




https://www.facebook.com/share/p/jEK1WMA2b2RgYLpZ/?mibextid=oFDknk

Boom !