Public teachers’ union holds 5th triennial congress; elects new set of officers

By Gina G. Macabaya

06 May 2014, Baguio City. –TOPPS (Teachers Organization of the Philippine Public Sector) held its 5th Triennial Congress on 3-6 May 2014 in Baguio City.

Some 58 TOPPS leaders and members from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao attended the program.

The congress started with a caucus on women facilitated by Sis Wilhelmina Masinsin, Head of Gender and Development (GAD) of University of Rizal System, Morong, Rizal campus and Program Coordinator of CALABARZON GAD Resource Center (GRC). The day’s event concluded with sharing and presentation of outputs of proposed intervention programs, projects/activities for women empowerment in trade unions and in education.

Solidarity messages

Local and international fraternal organizations extended greetings, congratulatory messages, and solidarity support to the officers and members of TOPPS. Among them were TUCP President Ernesto F. Herrera, Education International – Asia Pacific Region Coordinator Shashi Bala Singh, Lararforbundet (Swedish Teachers Union) President Eva Lis Siren, SMP-NATOW President Joseph V. Jovellanos, and FFW Vice President Jomel B. General.

Congress Resolutions

Twelve (12) resolutions were adopted during the Congress.

Asking the Department of Education the Full Implementation of Medical Benefits of Public School Teachers as Stated in Section 22 of the Magna Carta For Public School Teachers

Urging government to Carry Plantilla Position and Item in Case of Transfer

Implementation of Deped Memo 291, S. 2008 and CSC Resolution 080096 on the Actual Teaching Hours for Public School Teachers in the Philippines

Ruling Out the Quota System in Hiring Master Teachers in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Supporting R.A. 10533 for Quality Public Education

Supporting Quality Vocational Education and Training in Philippine Public Education Sector

Advocating the Improvement of Working Conditions of Non-Teaching Personnel in the Public Education Sector

Asserting More Women Leaders in their Local Union

Immediate Implementation of National Budget Circular 461

Increasing the Monthly Dues of TOPPS from Fifteen Pesos to Twenty Pesos

Apportionment of the Percentages of TOPPS Union Dues

Collecting Annual Organizational Fees from Affiliate Union of TOPPS

New set of officers

The congress elected and proclaimed new TOPPS officers for 2014-2018.

Principal Officers:
Marilou C. Pantaleon (President), Lorenzo B. Dinlayan III (Vice President); Michaela Marvie P. Sagun (General Secretary); Maria Theresa C. Agustin (Finance Officer); and Analyn T. Dico (Internal Auditor)

Deputy General Secretaries:
Jim A. Sagario (DGS, Elementary), Anthony G. Arresgado (DGS, Secondary), Marlon P. Tabilisma (DGS, Tertiary) , Ronald M. Marty (DGS, TechVoc), and Jimmy S. Vasquez (DGS, Non-Teaching)

Regional Chairpersons (Luzon):
Flordeliza S. Fulgencio (Elementary), Andropov P. Robles (Secondary), Jocelyn L. Reyes (Tertiary), and Presley V. De Vera (Tech Vocational)

Regional Chairpersons (Visayas):
Josephine V. Villar (Secondary), Francis B. Gasapo (Tertiary), and Ariel Villanueva (Tech Vocational)

Regional Chairpersons (Mindanao)
Flordeliza B. Fabriga (Elementary), Ricardo G. Bohol (Secondary), Beulah Rose R. Torres (Tertiary), and Aurora Lagrama (Non-Teaching)

The Congress was succesfully held with support from Lararforbundet (Swedish Teachers Union) and Education International (EI).

TOPPS is an affiliate of TUCP.

(Please visit www.philtopps.org for more information.)