17 December 2018 – The Samahang Manggagawang Pilipino – National Alliance of Teachers and Workers (SMP-NATOW), set to be the largest federation of teachers and office workers duly recognized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), held its 10th national convention last 15-16 December 2018 at the Brentwood Suites, Quezon City. The quadrennial event with the theme, “SMP-NATOW @ 48: Stand Up, Speak Up for Quality Education” was attended by almost 150 official delegates, observers, and guests across the country.
The delegation adopted pertinent resolutions on: 1) official union name to be known as NATOW only; 2) new official logo in response to the demands and challenges of the changing times while still connecting to genuine nationalist trade union movement; 3) expression of support to the newly instituted labor center, NTUC (Philippines), as one of its founding members; and 4) fund management improvement system.
The federation also issued statement manifesting its official stand on current issues on education and labor particularly the call to end contractualization, the intensification of anti-bullying law, protection and exercise of freedom of association in the private schools, the proliferation of business-for-profit CPD providers, and the ensurance of equal access to quality education for all.
Dr. Joseph V. Jovellanos (Pangasinan) and Prof. Milagros C. Ogalinda (NCR), who ran unopposed, received fresh mandates as federation’s president and secretary general respectively. The new set of officers vowed to continue the legacy of quality service to all teachers and office workers in protecting and promoting their rights.
