Government to hire 10,000 new teachers next year

MANILA, Philippines – The government will hire 10,000 new teachers next year, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas said yesterday.

He said President Aquino’s proposed P1.6-trillion 2011 national budget includes P1.6 billion for the recruitment of additional teachers.

This would enable the government to achieve the desired ratio of five teachers for every three classes, he said.

Gullas said the budget also includes P12.4 billion for the construction of new classrooms.

“The bulk of the new classrooms will be put up in districts with no existing school buildings, and in areas ravaged by typhoons and other calamities,” he added.

He pointed out that the number of classrooms targeted for construction next year is more than three times the 6,000 new classrooms usually built annually.

“The plan is to partner with local government units to quickly build more classrooms in their areas that lack schools,” he said.

In his State of the Nation Address, the President had vowed to increase spending for additional classrooms. He said the government would need up to P130 billion to fully address the severe classroom shortage.

For his part, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said the proposed 2011 budget also includes a free immunization program for senior citizens aged 60 to 69.

He said more than 800,000 seniors are expected to benefit from the program.

“They will be given pneumococcal and influenza shots every five years,” he said.

An additional 145,000 senior citizens aged 80 and above who do not get pension from the Government Service Insurance System or the Social Security System would receive a monthly pension of P500, he added.

“This may not be much. But to seniors who are not getting any financial support whatsoever, P500 monthly will surely provide some relief,” he stressed.  –Jess Diaz (The Philippine Star)