The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Saturday criticized President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., saying his recent praise for educators and promises to prioritize education ring hollow without concrete action—particularly a ₱50,000 entry-level salary for teachers.
Marcos made the remarks during the “RISE in Service” oath-taking ceremony under the Expanded Career Progression program, where he acknowledged teachers’ heavy workload and pointed to allowances and career reforms in the education budget as signs of government support.
ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo, however, said these measures are not new and were achieved through years of teachers’ collective struggle.
She stressed that low wages remain the core issue, forcing many educators to depend on loans just to get by.
“Appreciation without a living wage is empty rhetoric,” Bernardo said.
She urged the administration to match its words with action and cited the salary increases previously granted to police officers and other uniformed personnel as a benchmark for what teachers deserve.