Following the Senate hearing for the Department of Education (DepEd) budget yesterday, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) reiterated its call for the immediate legislation of a ₱15,000 across-the-board salary increase for teachers and DepEd employees. This is also the group’s reaction to DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara’s remarks that the government may not have enough funds for the said proposal in response to the author, Senator Risa Hontiveros’ question.

According to TDC Chairperson Benjo Basas, the government can provide just compensation for teachers if it truly intends to. And while the group recognizes the latest salary adjustment for state workers under President Bongbong Marcos’ Executive Order No. 64, it says that it is certainly no match for the inflation and the amount of work they render.

“In reality, a large chunk of budget is often wasted or, worse, lost to corruption. We find it weird that the government does not prioritize important expenses such as education, health, and other social services. This includes the salaries of government employees and public school teachers, who have long endured extremely low salaries,” Basas lamented.

Previous congressional hearings exposed questionable spending in various government agencies, including the DepEd. The TDC advocates for a thorough review of the education sector’s budget from previous years and the accountability of those responsible for any mismanagement.

“It would be better if these funds were redirected toward salary increases, incentives, or benefits for our workers and teachers,” Basas added.

Basas also pointed out that low wages are a key reason why many teachers are opting to work abroad instead of enduring poor pay and working conditions in the Philippines, another matter that was raised during the hearing.

“We fear losing some of the country’s best teachers if the government continues to ignore our call for substantial salary increases, particularly the ₱15,000 across-the-board increase.”

The TDC remains hopeful that a significant salary increase could be implemented under Angara’s leadership, as he was one of the proponents of raising teachers’ salaries to Salary Grade 19 from the current Salary Grade 11 when he was a senator.

Basas, however, clarified that the required budget for the₱15,000 across-the-board increase would not reach 400 to 500 billion pesos, contrary to Angara’s statement.

“This won’t happen all at once. In fact, the proposed legislation will be implemented in three tranches. The government can still find the necessary funding for this, and it will take three years before full implementation,” Basas explained.

Under Senate Bill (SB) 2743, the first year of implementation will raise salaries of teachers and DepEd employees by P6,000, followed by P5, 000 in the second year, and P4, 000 in the third year to complete the ₱15,000 increase. The lady senator submitted the proposal on July 23 of this year, following consultations and workshops with teachers’ groups led by TDC.

“We hope that Sec. Angara will support Sen. Hontiveros’ proposal, as this is one of his advocacies. Even President Marcos, when he was still a senator, consistently pushed for the upgrading of public school teachers’ entry-level positions,” Basas concluded.

The TDC plans to request another meeting with Angara to discuss the issue further, hoping it may be included in future budgets if not in the 2025 GAA. #

Reference:
Benjo Basas, National Chairperson
0927-3356375