THE Department of Education (DEPED) was lauded for its efforts to protect teachers from falling prey to loan sharks by providing them legal and financial advice.

Rizal Representative Fidel Nograles said the DEPED move would mean that teachers are armed with enough knowledge before signing any loan contract.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte earlier announced that the department has been coordinating with lawyer groups and other institutions to provide teachers with free consultations on loan contracts they might sign.

“Magandang hakbang ang planong ito ng DepEd sa pangunguna ni Vice President Sara Duterte upang maprotektahan ang ating mga guro laban sa mga loan shark at iba pang mapang-abusong uri ng pagpapautang,” Nograles said.

“Dahil sa kagipitan, marami sa ating mga guro ang pumipirma ng mga kontratang ikapapahamak nila para may pangtustos sa kanilang pamumuhay, o ‘di kaya’y uutang para pambayad sa iba pang utang. We have to implement steps to ensure that their vulnerability is not taken advantage of by predatory lenders,” the solon added.

Nograles said he will engage his colleagues at the legal aid foundation Lakbay Hustisya and urge them to offer their services to teachers.

Lakbay Hustisya, which the solon founded, provides free legal consultations to indigent inmates.

Last December, the DEPED issued a memorandum that bans private lenders and loan sharks not connected with the agency from collecting payments at designated payout sites of the one-time service recognition incentive for public school teachers and non-teaching personnel.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas