House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez gave an enthusiastic response when asked about the calls on Congress to prioritize the proposed legislated wake hike for teachers. 

Romualdez told reporters in a chance interview in San Mateo, Rizal on Tuesday, June 4 that such benefit and others for teachers are in the legislative pipeline. 

For context, the House leader was asked about an update on the wage increase for teachers following Monday's much celebrated signing of Republic Act (RA) No.11997 or the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act", which institutionalized bigger allowances for public school teachers. 

"Ah syempre! Kaya na nga ipinasa na natin yan alam natin na kailangan talaga, itaas natin talaga yung mga sweldo, mga allowances ng mga teachers," said a smiling Romualdez. 

(Of course! That's why we passed it, we know that it is really needed, we will increase the wages and allowance of teachers.) 

"Syempre bago naman natin maipapasa yan, may mga appropriation measures so kumbaga naka programa na rin yan sa ating forthcoming budget," said the Leyte 1st district congressman. 

(Of course before we can pass that, there are appropriation measures so in short that is already part of the program of our forthcoming budget.) 

Romualdez was referring to the House of Representatives' deliberations on the proposed 2025 national budget. These are expected to begin August this year. 

"So we assure the teachers that the law, itong kakapasa at kakapirma ng ating mahal na Presidente (this law that was just signed by our beloved President) will be fully supported as well….Opo (Yes), we will also be factoring that in and that we shall support that," he said. 

Signed by President Marcos on Monday, June 3, RA No.11997 aims to provide a P7,500 allowance per teacher starting the school year 2024 to 2025, and P10,000 each for the subsequent school years.