Public school teachers must get a minimum salary of P49,835 per month, Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas pressed in a measure he filed on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day on Wednesday, Oct. 5.
House Bill (HB) No. 4070 aims to adjust the minimum salary grade level of public school teachers from Salary Grade (SG) 11 or P25,439 to SG 19 or P49,835.
The salary grade levels of those occupying higher positions shall then be adjusted accordingly.
“With the rising costs of living, many teachers still struggle with the financial limitations of their profession while maintaining the delivery of quality education to our students amid the pandemic,” Vargas said in a statement.
Teacher organizations have been lobbying for salary increase since the 18th Congress, arguing that Republic Act No. 11466 or the Salary Standardization Law of 2019 was not enough to sustain their living conditions amid inflation and the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, despite clamor from teachers groups, similar bills filed in the 18th Congress failed to get past committee review.
“We must recognize the dedication and guarantee the retention of competent teachers by ensuring that the remuneration due to them is commensurate to their work load,” the lawmaker asserted.
At least 15 bills filed in the 19th Congress seeking to increase the salary of teachers in the country are currently pending in the House Committee on Appropriations, of which Vargas is a member.
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In line with the National Teachers Month celebration, Vargas filed several bills that will uplift the welfare of teachers. Among them were: Teaching Supplies Allowance Bill (HB 4072); Distant Public School Teachers Incentive Bill (HB 4073), Health Care for Teachers Bill (HB 4074); and Housing Program for Teachers Bill (HB 4075).
These bills, as with the measure seeking salary upgrade for teachers, have been filed by Vargas’ brother and now incumbent Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas in the 18th Congress.
“This World Teachers Day, it is my hope that we recognize and justly compensate our noble teachers who shape the minds that shape the nation,” he said.