LAPU-LAPU City Lone District Rep. Junard “Ahong” Chan, along with Mayor Cindi King-Chan, led a courtesy call and the payout of monthly honorariums for 38 Muslim teachers on Thursday, July 10, at the Lapu-Lapu City Mayor’s Office.
Recognizing their invaluable contribution to education in the area, the teachers from public elementary and high schools across the city each received P2,000 in cash.
The gathering served as an opportunity not only for the honorarium payout but also for teachers to express their concerns and ideas for the improvement of educational facilities.
Many teachers from various schools, including Basak Elementary School, Pajo National High School and Bankal National High School, shared their insights during the meeting.
Teachers from Papag Elementary School and Suba Masulog Elementary School thanked the city officials, as well as their school principals, for ensuring that their religious practices are accommodated.
Some teachers also aired concerns about classroom space, with several schools grappling with overcrowded classrooms and requesting assistance in finding additional spaces.
A teacher from Bankal National High School, which has a significant number of students, shared that while they were given a room last year, it was later reclaimed, leaving the students with limited space.
At Poblacion Elementary School, a teacher explained that while they had enough classrooms, they would like to request additional teachers to accommodate their students better.
While the teachers acknowledged the challenges, they also expressed their gratitude for the consistent support they have received from the government and school administrators.
A representative of the group expressed their appreciation for the gathering, as it served as an avenue for Muslim teachers to introduce themselves and communicate their concerns to the mayor and congressman.
Congressman Ahong discussed the importance of Arabic and Islamic values in public schools.
He emphasized that Arabic and values education serve as a strong foundation for their students’ character development.
He also mentioned historical claims that Lapu-Lapu may have had Muslim ancestry, and given the city’s identity as a tourism hub, he pointed out the growing number of Muslim tourists who often look for mosques when visiting.
He urged for unity and cooperation in presenting Muslim places of worship as welcoming and respectable.
The congressman assured the teachers that their concerns would be relayed to the Department of Education (DepEd) officials during their courtesy call in the afternoon.
During the meeting, Mayor Chan also took the opportunity to express her appreciation to the teachers for their dedication to the city.
She acknowledged the challenges faced by Muslim teachers and assured them that their concerns were being taken seriously.
Mayor Chan expressed her dedication to improve services across all sectors in the city, including education, health and public safety.
“We really just want to improve because in our lives, we must strive to improve,” she said. / FRANCES IBO, VSU INTERN