A group of teachers on Wednesday, Sept. 11, reiterated its call for a P15,000 across-the-board pay hike for teaching and non-teaching employees of the Department of Education (DepEd).
“In reality, a large portion of the budget is often wasted or, worse, lost to corruption,” said Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) Chairperson Benjo Basas in a statement.
TDC reiterated its call for the immediate legislation of a P15,000 across-the-board salary increase for teachers and DepEd employees, following the Senate hearing on the DepEd budget on Sept. 10.
"We find it weird that the government does not prioritize important expenses such as education, health, and other social services," Basas said. "This includes the salaries of government employees and public school teachers, who have long endured extremely low salaries," he added.
TDC also responded to remarks by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara that the government “may not have enough funds” for the proposed increase, in response to Senator Risa Hontiveros' inquiry.
Basas insisted that the government could provide just compensation for teachers “if it truly intends to.”
While TDC acknowledges the latest salary adjustment for state workers under President Marcos' Executive Order No. 64, the group lamented that it is “certainly no match” for inflation and the workload of teachers and other DepEd employees.
‘Questionable’ spending
TDC pointed out that previous congressional hearings had exposed “questionable spending” in various government agencies, including the DepEd.
“It would be better if these funds were redirected toward salary increases, incentives, or benefits for our workers and teachers,” Basas said.
TDC advocates for a “thorough review” of the education sector's budget from previous years and for holding accountable those responsible for any mismanagement.
Losing Filipino teachers
Basas also highlighted that low wages are a “key reason” why many teachers work abroad instead of enduring poor pay and working conditions in the Philippines.
“We fear losing some of the country’s best teachers if the government continues to ignore our call for substantial salary increases, particularly the P15,000 across-the-board increase,” he explained.
‘Significant’ salary increase
TDC expressed hope that a “significant salary increase” could be implemented under Angara’s leadership as Education Secretary.
TDC pointed out that Angara, as a senator, was one of the proponents of raising teachers' salaries to Salary Grade 19 from the current Salary Grade 11.
Meanwhile, Basas clarified that the required budget for the P15,000 across-the-board increase would not reach P400 to 500 billion, contrary to Angara's statement.
“This won’t happen all at once,” Basas explained.
The proposed legislation, Basas said, 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,” he added.
Under Senate Bill (SB) 2743, the first year of implementation would raise the 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 P15,000 increase.
Hontiveros submitted the proposal on July 23 of this year, following consultations and workshops with teachers' groups led by TDC.
TDC urged Angara to support Hontiveros’ proposal, calling it “one of his advocacies.”
Basas also noted that President Marcos, when he was still a senator, consistently pushed for upgrading the entry-level positions of public school teachers.
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 General Appropriations Act (GAA).