The Department of Education (DepEd) on Saturday denied allegations that it is profiling members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).
In a statement, DepEd said that the memorandum it issued on June 14, which requested the list of ACT-affiliated teachers who are availing of the Automatic Payroll Deduction System (APDS), was not intended to target the union.
“The sole purpose of consolidating the list of APDS availees, from various organizations in the regions, is to centralize, connect, update, and improve the Department’s Human Resource Systems, including the APDS,” DepEd said.
The agency added that it is committed to delivering better services for its employees and partner organizations.
“While a memorandum sought the list of ACT Union members, 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,” DepEd said.
“There is simply no effort or intention to purposely target members of ACT Union,” the agency added.
ACT has accused the DepEd of profiling its members in order to silence them. The union has been critical of the government’s education policies.
DepEd said that it is willing to meet with ACT to discuss the matter further.
The statement comes amid growing concerns about the government’s crackdown on dissent. In recent months, the government has arrested and detained several activists and journalists.
The DepEd’s denial of profiling ACT teachers is a welcome development. However, it is important to continue to monitor the situation and to ensure that the rights of all teachers are protected.