October 5 as Teachers Day in Baguio proposed

Councilor Jose Molintas authored an ordinance seeking the declaration of every October 5 as Teachers’ Day in the city.

Under the proposed ordinance, it shall be the policy of the local government to recognize the role of teachers for their sincere dedication and commitment in nurturing and educating the children, youth, and adults.

The ordinance also seeks to declare every October 5 to be a special non-working Teachers’ Day in the city.

Among the objectives of the measure include the provision of a venue for active participation of teachers in the city in the celebration of the National Teachers’ Month; give recognition, commendations and awards to qualified teachers for their length of service, exemplary achievements, outstanding performance among others and allow the teachers and their students to conduct activities which will make them feel the importance of their role in nurturing and preparing them to be responsible and activity citizens of the city.

The Baguio Teachers’ Day Council shall be composed of members and officers to be designated by the City Mayor upon the recommendation of the City School Board.

The functions of the aforesaid council are to prepare and recommend for approval of the City Mayor the programs and guidelines of activities for Teachers’ Day; inform within a reasonable time all schools and other concerned offices of the programs of activities of the Teachers’ Day; recommend nominees for the recognition or awards for approval of the City Mayor and to perform such other functions as my be assigned by the City Mayor.

The recommended activities for the celebration of the Baguio Teachers’ Day are the recitation of the national prayer for teachers’; teachers’ forum; presentations and film showing; sports festival or games; awarding or recognition for length of service, exemplary achievements, outstanding performance among others and such other related activities.

The ordinance discloses that there shall be no classes nor work in all levels such as kindergarten, elementary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities, technical-vocational schools, and the community learning centers for the teachers, including the non-teaching staff to be able to attend, participate and enjoy in the said activities.

The ordinance provides that the local government shall appropriate P500,000 from the city general fund and/or City School Board fund for the effective implementation of the measure.

The proposed amount may be increased annually as the need arises and subject to availability of funds.

The city is fully aware of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), designating every October 5 as World Teachers’ Day to celebrate the central role teachers play in guiding the children, youth and adults, through the life-long learning process.

Further, every October 5 was also declared as national Teachers’ Day under Republic Act (RA) 10743 as a special working holiday and all heads of government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned and controlled corporations, especially those that are directly dealing with the teachers, including local government units, and employers in the private sector, are mandated to encourage and afford sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of their offices or establishments in celebration of Teachers’ Day. – Dexter A. See