The administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. should “decisively address” this year the low salaries, scant and delayed benefits, and attacks on unions that “burden” the country’s teaching force and “affect the delivery” of quality education to the Filipino youth.
The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines said that teachers and their families "experience grave economic difficulties due to low salaries and scant and delayed benefits amid rising prices of commodities, but as they assert their economic rights through their unions, they are meted with repression instead of their plight being addressed.”
ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua noted that Filipino teachers and workers “reel in low wages and high prices.”
Quetua noted that the Philippine government continues to hold a “dismal record in caring for the welfare of teachers.”
As the International Labour Organization is set to hold the High-Level Tripartite Mission (ILO-HLMT) this Jan. 23 to 26 in the country, ACT hoped that the body can press the Marcos regime to “finally straighten up and heed our demands.”
“As we struggle to assert our rights in the local scene, the attention and support of the international community and institutions contribute pressure to the government to abide by the international labour standards,” Quetua said.
“We aim to win significant victories for the welfare of our teachers, workers and the people this year by egging the Marcos regime to effect substantial pay hikes, protect labour rights and put a stop to trade union repression,” Quetua added.