Teachers cried their hearts out on Valentine's Day, claiming that the government had "neglected" their demands for "just" and "living" wages and salaries, not only for themselves but also for Filipino workers.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) through ACT NCR Union on Wednesday, Feb. 14, conducted school-based protests to call for "immediate action" from the administration for their economic problems.

In a statement, ACT said the mobilization included "synchronized" tarpaulin hanging, noise barrage, zumba for salary increase, and noon-break protests in front of some schools in Quezon City, Pasig City, Caloocan City, Marikina City, and Manila City.

It also took part in the multi-sectoral protest in Mendiola to show their disapproval with the proposed Charter Change.

ACT echoed concerns that teachers can do better if their economic and professional rights are taken into consideration appropriately.

"We reiterate the need to address teachers’ call for substantial salary increase that will set the entry level pay to 50,000 per month and for the implementation of at least 33,000 national minimum wage per month for private and public workers," it said.

Dissent over Charter change

ACT also said the country's education system would bear "denationalization" if charter change was approved.

"Allowing foreign ownership of a Philippine school as a banner agenda of the amendments of the present 1987 charter will lead to the voluntary unloading of the government’s responsibility to the Filipino Peoples’ right to an education that is suitable or appropriate to the needs of the people," it said.

Moreover, it said the constitutional change will put the teachers at risk of becoming "more overworked, underpaid and undervalued," as it will generate income for foreign interests.

"It will carry out the present, neo-liberal orientation of producing docile and cheap labor graduates that will serve the interests of foreign large-scale companies in need of "robotic" humans to address the demand of companies," it added.