52 Participants attend DepEd 9th NEU Congress in Baguio City

There were a total of fifty two (52) participants from Caraga Region who attended the 9th NEU Congress held at Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City. The Regional Office sent a total of five (5) participants and the other forty (47) were coming from the Division Offices and schools of the region. From Regions 1 to XII participants totalled up to Eight Hundred Eighty Nine (889) of which Region XI has the highest number with 153 participants. The NEU develops policy guidelines that enables members to appreciate the significance of public sector unionism in the protection, development, education, advancement, and advocacy of government’s workers’ rights, benefits and privileges as well as their responsibilities as employees of the Department. It aims to strengthen the DepEd-NEU representation and participation in committees, programs and projects of the Department at the central, regional, and schools division and school levels which are essential to the delivery of quality public service and agency performance. “On the Opening Program-the occasion was graced by the presence of the City Mayor of Baguio in the person of the Hon. Mauricio Domogan, a lawyer by profession and an IP, a native of the Province of Benguet. In fact, all participants were truly inspired by his message. He is an example of a kid who rose to prominence through hard struggles and sacrifices in order to become a lawyer.” Inspired and challenged by a beautiful lady who belittled him during the JS Prom in Baguio City… He was a boy who went to school barefooted until he finished high school.” As an ending to his inspirational message he said…”that extreme poverty should never be a stumbling block for anyone who is trying to reach the pinnacle of success. On the Program proper, several issues were being discussed like the K to 12, GSIS, Disaster Preparedness, Unionism and the issues and concerns of the Rat Plan. The highlights of the gathering that caught the attention of participants was the open forum on the turnabout of DepEd rationalization Plan particularly on the health personnel. The NEU headed by the National President – Atty. Domingo B. Alidon, continuously exerted his effort on the restoration of the health personnel in divisions and regional offices nationwide. Everybody is enjoined to join the National Employees Union. Non-teaching personnel are welcome to be members. Central Office, Regional and Division Chapter Officers are encouraged to attain a 100% membership for all employees of the Department. It was emphasized that members who are already retired are automatically removed from the Rooster of Members. A signing bonus (CAN 2014) is planned to be given to all members amounting to Php14,000.00 by which the amount of Php1,000.00 shall be given to the union as a revolving fund, wherein everybody supported the agreement through voting. For more information and other details please see Atty. Jose B. Guibone, Atty IV of DepEd Caraga Regional Office, NEU Caraga Chappter President or contact tel. nos. 0853428207 loc. 120 and 125.

By: Margarita T. Delima