Marking World Teachers’ Day on Sunday, Oct. 5, thousands of educators took to the streets of Metro Manila to protest the Marcos administration’s “deafening silence” on the education crisis and demand immediate reforms for teachers’ welfare.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines marked the occasion and the opening of its 17th National Congress with a fiery press conference at the University of the Philippines Diliman, presenting a six-point demand for urgent reforms in the education sector.

“The President’s silence is telling. Habang sumisigaw ng P50K entry-level salary at sapat na pondo sa edukasyon ang mga guro, nananatiling tahimik si Marcos Jr.—walang tugon, walang direksyon, walang malasakit (While teachers are clamoring for a ₱50,000 entry-level salary and sufficient funding for education, Marcos Jr. remains silent—no response, no direction, no concern),” said newly elected ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo. “Sa panahon ng krisis, ang katahimikan ay isang uri ng pagpapabaya (In times of crisis, silence is a form of neglect),” she added.

Following the event, teachers staged a symbolic P50K human formation, dramatizing their call for a P50,000 starting salary for teachers and substantial pay hikes for all education personnel.

As such, ACT lambasted the government’s continued disregard for teachers’ welfare, citing “meager and delayed” benefits under Executive Order No. 64 and the absence of funds for overload pay, promotions, and allowances.

“Habang binabarat ang guro, sagad-sagaran naman ang pondo para sa mga tiwali at walang silbing proyekto (While teachers are being shortchanged, the corrupt and useless projects get unlimited funding),” Bernardo said. 

“Hindi na maikakaila: ang gobyernong ito ay mas abala sa pagpapayaman ng iilan kaysa sa pagtataguyod ng karapatan ng mamamayan sa edukasyon (It’s undeniable: this government is more focused on enriching the few than on upholding the people’s right to education).”

The group’s 6-Point World Teachers’ Day Demands include:

1. Raising teachers’ and support staff salaries to living-wage levels;

2. Doubling the education budget to six percent of GDP;

3. Holding corrupt officials accountable;

4. Ending military intrusion in schools and attacks on teachers’ rights;

5. Rejecting colonial and commercialized education; and

6. Resisting foreign intervention and warmongering.

“If the government truly values teachers, then it must act—now. Enough of the press releases, enough of the lip service. Ang kailangan ay tiyak na aksyon, sapat na pondo, at respeto sa karapatan ng kaguruan (What we need is concrete action, sufficient funding, and respect for the rights of teachers),” Bernardo stressed.

Meanwhile, members of the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) also took to the streets, holding a protest at Rajah Sulayman Park in Manila with the calls “P15K Across-the-Board Increase, Isabatas!” and “Wakasan ang Korapsyon, Pondohan ang Edukasyon!”

Per the TDC, World Teachers’ Day must go beyond ceremonial celebrations and serve as a platform to amplify the teaching sector’s urgent demands for fair wages, clean governance, and proper funding for education.

In response, the Department of Education (DepEd) said it recognizes the importance of teachers’ concerns and respects their right to peaceful assembly.

“We respect our teachers’ right to peaceful assembly and acknowledge the important issues they are raising,” DepEd Chief Media Relations Officer Dennis E. Legaspi said in a statement. 

The education department, he said, is in constant dialogue with representatives of teachers to address their concerns. 

“Rest assured, the DepEd leadership is not only listening but is committed to taking meaningful action.”

DepEd also cited Executive Order No. 64, which it said “delivered a significant and much-needed boost” to educators’ wages last year under the leadership of President Marcos.

DepEd to hold Teachers’ Day culminating activity Oct. 6

As part of the nationwide celebration, the DepEd will lead the National Teachers’ Day Culminating Activity on Monday, Oct. 6, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with the theme “Together 4 Teachers.”

According to agency’s  media advisory, around 12,500 teachers from Luzon are expected to join the event, which aims to “honor their dedication and service” and express gratitude for their role in shaping the nation.

It added that the program will feature performances and tributes to teachers, providing what the agency described as “a well-deserved moment to be recognized, celebrated, and appreciated beyond the classroom.”

Also, DepEd said the culminating activity also seeks to “highlight teachers’ contribution to nation-building and promote greater respect and support for their welfare and the teaching profession.”