ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio reaffirmed their call to raise public school teachers’ entry-level salary to ₱50,000 in time for this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebration.
According to Tinio, the proposed salary adjustment should start from the entry-level position.
“‘Yan pa rin ang pangunahing laban natin, ang ₱50K entry-level salary para sa Teacher 1. Tapos yung sapat na budget para sa edukasyon sa kabuuan at paglaban sa korapsyon,” said Tinio.
Alongside the salary increase, he also urged the government to raise the World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) from ₱1,000 to ₱1,500.
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara expressed support for the proposal to increase teachers’ incentives.
Meanwhile, in conjunction with the celebration, members of the Civil Society for Education Reforms (E-Net Philippines) held a protest in Malate, Manila to amplify the calls of educators. Demonstrators carried placards that read, “Stop corruption, sagipin ang edukasyon!” and “Sahod kulang, silid sira — nasaan ang budget para sa guro at bata?”
At present, two pending House Bills aim to address teachers’ long-standing concerns. House Bill No. 203 seeks to establish a ₱50,000 entry-level salary for teachers, while House Bill No. 2903 proposes an additional ₱15,000 salary increase for all educators nationwide.