ACT-Davao Calls for Four-Day Mental Health Break for Teachers After Davao Oriental Earthquakes
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Davao Region (ACT-Davao) has proposed a four-day break for teachers, coinciding with students' mid-school-year break, due to the recent earthquakes and landslides in Davao Oriental. The proposal comes as teachers face immense pressure and emotional trauma, with calls for immediate support for their mental health.
ACT-Davao Union president Reynaldo Pardillo has called for the suspension of the October Mid-Year Performance Review and Evaluation (MPRE) until teachers have recovered from their emotional trauma. The Department of Education in Davao Region (DepEd-Davao) is awaiting Education Secretary Sonny Angara's approval for a proposed mental health break for teachers following the recent earthquakes.
ACT-Davao demands immediate, concrete support for teachers' mental health, including mandatory paid debriefing sessions and full PhilHealth and GSIS coverage for mental health treatments. Teachers have been under immense pressure since the magnitude 7.4 earthquake on October 10 in Manay, Davao Oriental. Upon approval, DepEd-Davao plans to implement the mental health break immediately and conduct psychosocial activities for both teachers and students upon resumption of face-to-face classes to help process emotions after the disaster.
The proposed four-day break for teachers, coinciding with students' mid-school-year break, aims to provide much-needed relief and support for educators affected by the recent earthquakes and landslides in Davao Oriental. Upon approval, the mental health break will allow teachers to recover and process their emotions, with further support planned upon the resumption of face-to-face classes.
