A group of education workers on Thursday, Dec. 12, called for the full release of a tax-free Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) before the holidays.
In a statement, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) demanded the full, tax-exempt grant of the SRI to all teachers and government employees. The group emphasized the need for its immediate release ahead of the holiday season.
This appeal followed President Marcos's directive to increase the SRI for public school teachers.
“The President himself declared that teachers deserve recognition for their commitment and dedication to providing responsive public service,” ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua said.
“We challenge him to back his words with action by ensuring a full and tax-free SRI for teachers, who shoulder the heaviest burdens of the ongoing learning crisis,” he explained. “The government must abandon its practice of granting incentives based solely on the education agency's savings,” he added.
Extend the same incentive
Meanwhile, ACT urged the administration to “extend” the same incentive to all government employees and allocate sufficient annual funding for improved and equitable benefits across the public sector.
“While we welcome Pres. Marcos Jr.'s directive for increased SRI for teachers, it must be clear that substantial salary hikes and increased education funding are indispensable for uplifting teachers' economic conditions and improving the quality of education,” Quetua added.
The group reiterated its call for an entry-level salary of P50,000 for teachers, P33,000 for Salary Grade 1 employees, Salary Grade 16 for Instructor 1, and “equitable, livable wages” for public and private school teachers.
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https://mb.com.ph/2024/12/11/increased-service-recognition-incentive