Senator Risa Hontiveros on Friday marked National Teachers’ Month by renewing her call for a ₱15,000 across-the-board monthly salary increase for public school teachers and employees, alongside medical discounts, additional benefits, and stronger safeguards for their pension contributions.
Hontiveros is pressing for the approval of her proposed Dagdag Sahod for Public Basic Education Teachers and Employees Act (Senate Bill 211) and Healthy Buhay at Hanapbuhay Para sa Guro Act (Senate Bill 575), which aim to significantly improve the welfare of teaching and non-teaching personnel.
“Ang mga guro natin, araw-araw nagbubuhos ng oras, pagod, at pagmamahal para sa ating kabataan. Kaya bilang pasasalamat sa kanila, gusto kong mabigyan sila ng umento sa sahod para naman mas guminhawa ang buhay nila,” Hontiveros said.
Under SB 211, all public school teachers and employees will receive a ₱15,000 salary increase in three tranches: ₱6,000 in the first year, ₱5,000 in the second, and ₱4,000 in the third.
Meanwhile, SB 575 seeks to grant teachers a 10% discount and VAT exemption on medicines and essential health products, as well as expanded health benefits. These include:
- Dedicated health centers and special wards in DOH hospitals,
- Government-paid PhilHealth contributions,
- Medical assistance from DOH, DSWD, and DepEd, and
- Five days of annual mental health and wellness leave.
Hontiveros also underscored the importance of protecting teachers’ pension funds to ensure a dignified and secure retirement.
“Sa pagbibigay umento sa kanilang sahod, pagdadagdag ng kanilang benepisyo at pagbabantay sa kanilang pensyon, mapapakita natin na ang mga guro natin ay pinapahalagahan, hindi lang tuwing Teachers’ Day, kundi everyday,” she said.