DepEd-ARMM opens ‘hotlines’ for public feedback

05 March 2010


COTABATO CITY–The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) is opening next week cellular ‘hotlines’ to give the public an avenue to air complaints or suggestions that could help resolve nagging problems concerning teachers’ welfare in the region.


Dr. Hamid Barra, DepEd-ARMM secretary, said he conceived the opening of the hotlines as part of his avowed reforms to revolutionize the operations of his department, improve its image, and improve the plight and services of at least 22,000 teachers across the region.


“Reforms should be now because we mean business this time,” Barra said, stressing that he accepted his recent appointment in the agency on condition that he could introduce drastic improvements in the agency, something Acting ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Alonto-Adiong has welcomed well.


The hotlines will allow teachers and stakeholders from the region to ventilate and convey their issues, concerns and suggestions thru text messages or calls on how the education department can be more responsive.


The hotlines are 09206388636 (Smart) and 09273106530 (Globe), Barra said.


The education official, meanwhile, announced added that the February pay checks of teachers in Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi were distributed on time last February 26 through the “usual process” at the division levels including their P3,000 GMA bonus.


Barra recalled that upon assuming office on order of Adiong, he personally distributed the January pay checks to more than 10,000 teachers from the five (5) divisions of Lanao del Sur province on February 6, 2010 at the Provincial Capitol Gym in Marawi City . Barra assumed office on February 1.


He said he was personally ordered by the regional governor to “make sure that salaries and benefits of our teachers are given on time because they are our priorities. How can they provide good education to our children if they are not attended to?”


“We will gradually deal with issues and concerns involving our teachers in the region,” he said, citing his inherited burden on still unpaid P300-million GSIS remittances.


Barra emphasized that one of his administration’s thrusts is “how to respond to the needs of our public schools and make their teachers more competent.”


He said he will order all public schools in the region to hold simple graduation rites this closing season.

“For their graduation attire, students can use their school uniforms,” he said. (Jo Henry/bpi-armm)