Bontoc, Mountain Province – The Bontoc Municipal Government has allotted a separate budget purposely for the yearly celebration of the National Teachers Month of the public school teachers in the municipality.
Known as the Municipal Teacher’s Day Ordinance of Bontoc, Mountain Province, it will take effect this year 2020 after Mayor Franklin Odsey gave his approval and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan gave its green light for implementation.
With this, public teachers in Bontoc will now celebrate the National Teachers Month with a financial contribution from the municipal government amounting to P60,000 to defray the expenses relative to the celebration. Part of the ordinance is the declaration of the last Friday of September of every year as the official Teacher’s Day in the capital town.
A teacher by profession, Mayor Odsey remarked that the ordinance is a simple gesture of the municipal government in giving their respect, extending their gratitude, and bestowing honors to the teachers.
The mayor added that while it is true that the Bontoc municipal government cannot provide an additional amount of the salary given to teachers, he assured that the municipal government strives to give whatever assistance it can to help the education sector.
The Sangguniang Bayan unanimously approved the ordinance sponsored by SB member Alsannyster Patingan recognizing the importance and indispensability of those in the teaching profession in rearing the youth and preparing them for their future.
It is noteworthy that in Mountain Province, only the Municipality of Bontoc has passed an ordinance allocating from its budget a separate amount for the public teachers to use in the celebration of the National Teachers Month.
Presidential Proclamation No. 242 declares September 5 to October 5 of every year as National Teachers Month and Republic Act 10743 declares the 5th day of October of every year as the National Teachers Day and the designation of the World Teachers Day every 5th of October by the United Nations Education and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
By Alpine L. Killa