TDC: Some teachers have acquired COVID-19 after reporting physically for work

In an interview with Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) National Chairperson Benjo Basas in Dobol B sa News TV, he said that some teachers have acquired COVID-19 after reporting for work physically prior to the official opening of classes on August 24.

“Marami po sa aming report. In fact ‘yung iba naman hindi namin ma-validate pero meron po kaming mga validated, confirmed cases,” Basas said.

“One of them actually is our TDC chairman ng Metro Manila, ‘yung teacher natin sa Roxas High School sa Manila. At he confirmed din na three of them doon sa kanilang school ay nag-positive after a day of physical report doon sa kanilang paaralan,” Basas added, referring to Ildefonso Enguerra III, who publicly revealed his COVID-19 status.

Basas said that 30 teachers from the school reported physically back to work.

“Ang sinasabi niya hindi yata na-observe nang gaano ‘yung physical distancing, ‘yung protocol,” he said, adding that the COVID-19 cases among teachers are “alarming.”

Basas added that other teachers tested positive at a school in Calauag, Quezon, but he claimed they were still obliged to report for work by their school head.

The group also appealed to DepEd about postponement of opening of classes on August 24, emphasizing the problem encountered and still unsolved.

“Nag-conduct po kami ng mga survey, consultation sa aming mga guro sa lahat po ng bahagi ng Pilipinas kung saan kami may presence. Napakaliwanag po, sinasabi nila na ‘yung kanilang mga lokalidad ay hindi po ready… Considering August 18 pa matatapos ang MECQ pero kahit wala sa MECQ area, ganoon po ‘yung assessment ng ating teachers on the ground,” Basas said.

“‘Yun po ang dahilan kung bakit sa tingin natin puwedeng i-consider ng ating mahal na kalihim na i-postpone itong opening ng klase at ‘yung August 24 baka pinipilit natin nang hindi uubra,” he added.