Tulfo revealed on Wednesday why the DSWD did not use the DepEd to give monetary aid, as many parents urged. He stated that certain professors may be accused of favoring certain kids.

“Baka maulit na naman na may pinaburan si teacher dahil pinsan niya ‘yung estudyante niya. Eh alam niyo naman po ‘yung mga teacher natin. Do’n lang nakatira sa paligid-ligid. Baka na naman ma-accuse na naman ho ang mga teacher, kawawa naman,” he said.

(Perhaps the teacher sponsored someone again since his student is his cousin; you know our teachers; don’t just live around; perhaps the instructors will be blamed again, poor creature.)

Teachers’ unions reacted angrily on Thursday to Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo’s suggestion that educators may show partiality if they were entrusted to distribute the government’s monetary support for pupils.

“Isa itong napaka-iresponsableng pahayag mula sa iresponsableng opisyal na utak ng palpak na sistema ng pamamahagi ng ayuda para sa mga estudyante,” said Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Chairperson Vladimer Quetua in a remark.

(This is an extremely reckless comment made by the irresponsible official mastermind of the poor student assistance distribution system.)

“Sir, you cannot cover up your own failures by nitpicking on others. Huwag kami,” he stated to Tulfo.

Tulfo has also apologized for the disorderly distribution of educational financial support at many Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offices over the weekend, which Quetua was alluding to.

Quetua stated that “our teachers do not want the job,” noting that government entities have recruited teachers for other activities “that take away time from teaching,” such as serving in the elections.

“Some of these duties we are compensated, while in some, we are not, but at least the other agencies and the past DSWD secretaries are grateful enough for our help,” he added.

Tulfo’s statement, according to Teachers’ Dignity Coalition Chairperson Benjo Basas, was “hurtful.”

“Parang sinasabi niyang mandaraya ang mga guro at nagbibigay ng pabor sa mga kamag-anak,” Basas said in a statement. “Eh wala naman kaming kontrol sa mga programa na ‘yan kung sakali, we only facilitate and work based on the policies.”

(It’s as if he’s suggesting our instructors are cheats who prefer their families.) We have no authority over such programs, and we just assist and operate within the regulations.”

However, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte thanked teachers for “their dedication and commitment to public service,” which she described as “goes beyond self-interest.”

Tulfo’s statement, according to Teachers’ Dignity Coalition Chairperson Benjo Basas, was “hurtful.”

“Parang sinasabi niyang mandaraya ang mga guro at nagbibigay ng pabor sa mga kamag-anak,” Basas said in a statement. “Eh wala naman kaming kontrol sa mga programa na ‘yan kung sakali, we only facilitate and work based on the policies.”

(It’s as if he’s suggesting our instructors are cheats who prefer their families.) We have no authority over such programs, and we just assist and operate within the regulations) 

Meanwhile, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte lauded teachers for “their dedication and commitment to public service,” which she described as “goes beyond self-interest.”

“They embody selflessness and their love of country and fellowmen is something that cannot be questioned,” Duterte added in a statement that did not reference Tulfo’s comments.

According to Duterte, the DepEd is still eager to collaborate “with other national government agencies, such as the DSWD, especially for programs aimed to benefit our learners and teachers.”

Tulfo has no quick reaction on the well publicized situation.