The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) renewed its appeal for a substantial salary increase for public school teachers on Thursday, September 11, insisting that government funds are sufficient to support the proposal if priorities are properly aligned.

TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas, in a statement, said even a P15,000 salary adjustment for the country’s one million Department of Education (DepEd) teachers and employees is achievable, amounting to only P 210 billion—lower than the P346 billion allocation for flood control projects in 2025, which he noted has been prone to anomalies.

“Ang hinihingi nating dagdag na sahod para sa mga guro ay kayang-kaya kung gugustuhin lang ng gobyerno (The salary increase we’re demanding for teachers is entirely feasible if the government truly wills it),” Basas said.

“Ang P15,000 increase ay katumbas lamang ng P210 billion, mas mababa pa kaysa P346 billion na inilaan para sa flood control projects ngayong 2025 na karamihan ay maanomalya (The P15,000 raise amounts to just P210 billion—far less than the P346 billion allocated for flood control projects in 2025, many of which are riddled with anomalies),” he added.

Basas explained that Senate Bill 211, filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros, outlines a phased implementation of the salary increase.

Under the first tranche, a P6,000 hike would require P84 billion. A smaller P5,000 increase would cost P70 billion, while a P10,000 hike would need P140 billion.

“Malinaw na hindi kalabisan ang hinihingi ng mga guro (Clearly, the teachers’ demands are not excessive),” Basas emphasized.

“Mas makabuluhang paggugol ito kumpara sa ibang proyekto na ginawang gatasan ng mga tiwaling opisyal at contractor para tustusan ang kanilang maluhong pamumuhay (This is a far more meaningful expenditure compared to other projects that corrupt officials and contractors have turned into cash cows to fund their lavish lifestyles),” he added.

The TDC emphasized that government spending should prioritize education, health, livelihood, and food security—sectors that directly uplift Filipinos’ quality of life.

“Kapag naibigay ang sapat na badyet sa mga guro at edukasyon, o ang pagpapabuti sa mga pampublikong ospital at serbisyong pangkalusugan, o mabigyan ng kabuhayan ang mga mamamayan at mapaunlad ang sektor ng agrikultura, malaki ang maitutulong nito para maiangat ang pamumuhay ng mga mamamayan at mabawasan ang kahirapan at krimen (If sufficient budget is allocated for teachers and education, or if public hospitals and health services are improved, or if citizens are provided with livelihood and the agricultural sector is developed, it would greatly help uplift the lives of the people and reduce poverty and crime),” Basas said.

He also suggested sourcing funds from intelligence and confidential funds, as well as perks enjoyed by government officials and allocations to government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).

Beyond realigning funds, Basas underscored the need for stricter monitoring of public spending to prevent corruption.

“Kailangan na ang badyet na nakatuon sa mga mamamayan at tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng tao (We need a budget that is focused on the people and responsive to their needs),” Basas stressed.

“Pero kailangan ding mahigpit itong bantayan at papanagutin ang mga nagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan. Dapat na mabilis ang paglilitis at mas mabigat ang parusa (But it must also be strictly monitored, and those who steal from public funds must be held accountable—trials should be swift and penalties more severe),” he added.

Earlier this week, during a House Committee on Basic Education hearing, the TDC also urged Congress to divert a portion of the flood control budget to boost education funding.