News Briefs: DepEd hires 40,000 new public school teachers
The Department of Education (DepEd) is expanding its roster of public school teachers by 40,000 when classes open next month.
Education Undersecretary Jesus Mateo said there were 53,831 teacher items from kinder to Grade 12 that the DepEd was allowed to create for the new school year, noting the big demand for public school teachers due to the K-12 program.
“Currently, our division offices are conducting the selection process so by the time classes start in June, the 40,000 new hires have already undergone the Teacher Induction Program, and they are ready to teach,” Mateo told reporters.
The bulk of the new hires will be assigned to senior high school to catch up with the growing number of students enrolled in the program, he said, noting that DepEd was expecting some 25 million elementary and high school students to return to school next month. —Jocelyn R. Uy
11 NPA rebels in Sultan Kudarat surrender
Eleven lumad members of the New People’s Army (NPA) surrendered to the Philippine Army in Sultan Kudarat on Sunday morning.
1st Lt. John Austin Jamora, commanding officer of the Alpha Company, 33rd Infantry Battalion, said the rebels also turned over eight high-powered rifles, including five M-16 rifles, two M-1 Garand rifles and one AK-47 rifle.
He said that all were Manobo tribe members of the hinterland village of Midtungok, in the town of Sen. Ninoy Aquino.
They were identified as Ayob Mopac, Benjamin Kalay, Samuel Badak, Mel Pandi, Kang Mopac, Tiin Mooac, Usad Mopac, Long Oding, Sebio Masandag, Gabriel Mopac and Nonoy Lapi.
Col. Bismarck Soliba, commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, said the NPA in Sultan Kudarat was losing members due to demoralization in the ranks.
“The lumads are disgruntled over the unfulfilled promises of the NPA leaders,” he said. —Philip C. Tubeza
Chinoy businessmen, PNP to cooperate on civic projects
Filipino-Chinese businessmen have asked the Philippine National Police to help them implement socio-civic projects all over the country.
Officials of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) met with PNP Police Community Relations Group (PCRG) director Gilbert Cruz and deputy director Remigio Sedanto in Camp Crame to discuss the scope of the cooperation.
FFCCCII president Domingo Yap has asked the PNP for assistance in distributing relief goods to calamity victims and coordinating other projects all over the country to help underprivileged families.
Present during discussions between the FFCCCII and PNP-PCRG were FFCCCII external affairs committee chair Nelson Guevarra, vice chairs Eduardo Yao, Daniel Ching and Bryan Lim and member Pedro Tan, welfare committee chair Bonifacio Lui, cochair Robert Kho Tian Ang, vice chairs Jimmy Ching, Manuel Co and Robinson Tang, external affairs secretary Mercy Lim, with media partners Alfred Dalizon of the Journal Group and Francis Naguit, past president of the Manila Police District Press Corps.
OFWs in HK welcome passport validity extension
A group of Hong Kong (HK)-based overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) has welcomed Congress’ passage of a bill extending to 10 years the validity of Philippines passports, but warned the Department of Foreign Affairs against increasing passport fees.
United Filipinos in Hong Kong chair Balladares said the passport validity extension was sought by HK OFWs from President Duterte at the start of his term. —Jerome Aning
