By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Education (DepEd) denied profiling teachers who are part of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Union.
This after DepEd drew flak for its memorandum to all regional directors and all school division superintendents to identify ACT Union-affiliated teachers who are availing of the agency’s automatic payroll deduction system (APDS).
In a statement, DepEd said the allegation that the memorandum was intended to profile the members of ACT Union as part of government’s anti-insurgency campaign is “patently absurd, distorted, and followed no logic.”
“The request was publicly available, and proves that it did not intend to target members of the union, as alleged by ACT,” DepEd said.
The Department stressed that the sole purpose of consolidating the list of APDS availees from various organizations in the regions was to “centralize, connect, update, and improve” the agency’s human resource systems.
“This is especially relevant amidst the regular complaints from employees over inaccurate, questionable, and unwarranted salary deductions for loan remittances and membership dues,” DepEd continued.
“It is well-within its authority and even incumbent upon DepEd to look into the complaints made by its employees and to ensure that their welfare and rights are protected,” DepEd added.
It also noted that separate requests were also made for the list of members of other unions, organizations, and associations of teaching and non-teaching personnel availing of the APDS.
“There is simply no effort or intention to purposely target members of ACT Union.” – cf
