What is usually a day of celebration for World Teachers’ Day (WTD) turned into a rain-drenched protest as teaching and non-teaching staff in various schools walked out of their classes on Friday, October 3, to denounce corruption, low wages, and government neglect of the education sector.

Led by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines, teachers and education workers across the country braved the rains to stage demonstrations calling for a bigger education budget, decent wages, and accountability from government officials.

Soaked placards and dripping umbrellas lined the streets as teachers marched despite the storm, declaring that their struggles run deeper than the weather.

In Metro Manila, teachers waded through puddles on their way to Mendiola, where they performed a satirical “game show” skit to dramatize what they described as the poor “deals” handed to teachers and students: overloaded teaching loads, meager salaries, reduced subjects in General Education and Senior High School, and the militarization of schools.

These, they said, continue while billions are lost to pork-barrel projects, confidential funds, and government kickbacks.

“Para bang palabas lang ang ginagawa ng gobyerno: nagbubunutan ng proyekto, naghahati-hati ng kikbak, at nilalaro ang pondo ng bayan (It’s as if the government is just putting on a show—drawing lots for projects, dividing kickbacks, and playing with public funds),” said ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua, as the rain hammered down on the protest site.

“Pero ang mga guro at estudyante, ang kabataan at mamamayan—hindi nananalo rito. Wala kaming premyo sa sistemang bulok, kundi kahirapan at panganib (But teachers and students, the youth and the people—they don’t win in this game. There’s no reward for us in this rotten system, only poverty and danger),” he added.

Metro Manila and nearby provinces experienced cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms brought about by the trough of Severe Tropical Storm Paolo.

Several areas in Luzon remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals due to “Paolo,” according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The protest comes amid revelations in recent Senate hearings that public works projects—including classrooms and flood control facilities—were left unfinished or substandard due to entrenched corruption and kickbacks.

Quetua warned that while billions are siphoned off, public school teachers and students are left with dilapidated classrooms, inadequate facilities, and declining education quality.

“Habang ipinagkakait sa amin ang disenteng pasilidad at sapat na suweldo, ginagawang gatasan ng mga tiwaling opisyal ang kaban ng bayan (While decent facilities and adequate salaries are denied us, corrupt officials treat the public coffers as their personal cash cow),” Quetua stressed.

“Ang tunay na resulta: bulok na gusali, bulok na serbisyo, at lalong pagdausdos ng kalidad ng edukasyon (The real outcome: dilapidated buildings, deteriorating services, and the continued decline of education quality),” he added.

Despite the storm, teachers from different regions joined the nationwide walkout, turning dark skies and pouring rain into a symbol of the hardships they endure.

During the rain-soaked nationwide protest actions, ACT reiterated six major demands:

- Substantial salary increases for teachers and education support personnel

- Doubling the education budget to 6% of the country’s GDP

- Accountability for corrupt officials and contractors

- Ending attacks on teachers’ rights and military intrusion in schools

- Rejection of colonial, commercialized, and repressive education policies

- Resistance to foreign intervention and war-mongering

ACT also warned the Marcos administration that if no meaningful reforms are implemented, teachers are prepared to escalate their actions.

“Kung patuloy na magbubulag-bulagan ang estado, dapat nilang paghandaan ang mas malalaking dagundong ng pagkilos—mula sit-down strikes hanggang sa mas malalawak na walkout at protesta (If the state continues to turn a blind eye, it must brace for louder waves of action—from sit-down strikes to broader walkouts and protests),” Quetua said.

He emphasized that World Teachers’ Day is not about “hollow praises” but about the collective defiance of teachers and education workers against a corrupt system that starves education.

“At hindi kami titigil hanggang walang hustisya para sa mga guro at mamamayan (And we will not stop until there is justice for teachers and the people),” Quetua declared.

World Teachers’ Day is celebrated every October 5. In the Philippines, it also coincides with National Teachers’ Day and serves as the culmination of National Teachers’ Month, with the Department of Education (DepEd) leading the activities.