Teachers, DepEd employees get free accident insurance

A teacher starts the pilot implementation of the Matatag K-10 program in Tinajeros National High School in Malabon City. —LYN RILLON

Teachers and employees of the Department of Education (DepEd) are now covered with personal accident insurance of up to P100,000, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte said on Thursday.

During the celebration of World Teachers’ Day in Butuan City, Duterte announced that DepEd procured the benefit through the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

The insurance policy, which has been activated as of Oct. 5, provides a maximum of P100,000 for accidental death or dismemberment and up to P30,000 medical reimbursement yearly for injuries sustained in accidents.

“It is important to note that this policy covers accidents both here and abroad, whether they are work-related or not,” Duterte said. DepEd is also working with the GSIS to develop a “supplemental health insurance” cover to support the medical needs of teachers, she added.

“On this special day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting and uplifting you, our teachers. We continue to advocate for better resources, improved working conditions and enhanced professional development opportunities,” Duterte said.

DepEd earlier entered into a partnership with the GSIS to improve the services provided to teachers, particularly by providing an exclusive lane for them in the GSIS offices.

According to Duterte, DepEd is also working on a website aimed at providing free legal aid and loan contract advice to teachers which will ensure that they “will no longer fall prey to financial frauds.”

“In our commitment to transparency and fairness, DepEd is developing an automated system for objective selection in the hiring and promotion of teachers,” the education chief said.