The Department of Education–National Capital Region (DepEd–NCR) has urged the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) to call off its planned sit-down strike on November 28, warning that the action constitutes an illegal work stoppage in government service.
In a letter dated November 27, DepEd OIC-Assistant Secretary and NCR Regional Director Jocelyn Andaya said the union is directed to refrain from proceeding with the protest, which ACT claims will involve more than 400 public schools nationwide.
“This Office respectfully directs the ACT NCR Union to refrain from proceeding with the announced sit-down strike on 28 November 2025. As you are aware, civil service rules strictly prohibit work stoppages in government, including any mass action that disrupts the delivery of public services,” Andaya said.
Andaya stressed that civil service rules explicitly prohibit mass actions that disrupt public services.
“Any activity that results in the suspension of classes or refusal to perform official duties is inconsistent with the law and DepEd policies that safeguard the continuity of learning,” she wrote.
The official added that while DepEd recognizes long-standing teacher grievances, these must be resolved through established mechanisms and dialogue.
Citing Supreme Court jurisprudence, Andaya reminded the union that mass actions remain prohibited when they cause work disruption.
“The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that mass actions—regardless of how they are characterized—are deemed illegal when they cause work disruption,” she said, pointing to Bangalisan v. Court of Appeals, which emphasized that even temporary suspension of public services compromises the welfare of learners and may trigger administrative sanctions.
DepEd–NCR also appealed to ACT to instruct its members to report for duty on Friday as scheduled.
“We urge the Union to reconsider its planned action and to advise all teachers to report to class and perform their duties as scheduled,” Andaya wrote, adding that any class disruption on November 28 will be addressed under applicable civil service rules.
Despite its firm stance, the regional office reiterated its openness to dialogue.
“The Regional Office remains open to continued, lawful, and constructive dialogue. Our shared goal must always be to protect our learners and uphold the integrity of public education,” Andaya said.
