Teachers’ groups have renewed their call for a substantial salary increase for public school educators and civilian government employees following President Marcos’ approval of a 15 percent base pay increase for military and uniformed personnel (MUP).

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), in a statement issued Friday, December 5, welcomed the move but stressed that teachers have long been left behind in government compensation adjustments.

According to TDC Chair Benjo Basas, current salary hikes under Executive Order No. 64—amounting to only P6,500 over four years for entry-level teachers—are insufficient.

“Maliit ang umento para sa teacher at lalo pang maliit para sa mas mabababang posisyon sa gobyerno, sa pinakamalaking bilang ng mga empleyado (The salary increase for teachers is small, and even smaller for the lower positions in government, which make up the largest number of employees),” Basas said.

“Kung kayang bigyan ng 15 percent na umento ang mga kapatid sa military and uniformed service, kaya rin ang substansiyal na dagdag-sahod sa mga guro at iba pang kawani (If it is possible to grant a 15% increase to our brothers and sisters in the military and uniformed service, then it is also possible to provide a substantial salary increase to teachers and other personnel),” he added.

The TDC reiterated its long-standing demand for an across-the-board P15,000 salary increase for all public school teachers and Department of Education (DepEd) personnel, describing it as a necessary corrective measure to address inequities in government pay.

While the coalition acknowledged the Senate’s approval of a significantly increased 2026 DepEd budget, Basas noted that teachers’ salaries remain untouched.

“Tama lamang na itaas ang pondo sa mga programa ng DepEd, pero malinaw na hindi pa rin tinutugunan ang aming panawagan para sa umento sa mga guro (It is only right to increase the funding for DepEd programs, but it is clear that our call for a salary increase for teachers has still not been addressed),” Basas said.

“Tumaas ang gugulin sa lahat, maliban sa suweldo ng mga guro (The cost of everything has gone up—except the salaries of teachers),” he added.

Similarly, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines criticized Marcos’ announcement as “politically motivated.”

In a statement issued December 4, ACT Chair Ruby Bernardo alleged that the timing of the pay hike for military and uniformed personnel reflects the administration’s priorities amid rumors of destabilization, while educators and civilian workers continue to face stagnant wages and rising costs of living.

“Malinaw ang dahilan ng pag-aanunsyo ng Pangulo (The reason behind the President’s announcement is clear),” Bernardo said.

“Dahil sa mga usapin ng destabilisasyon na umiikot, nagkukumahog ang administrasyon na tiyakin ang katapatan ng kapulisan, habang isinasantabi ang matagal nang panawagang disente at nakabubuhay na sweldo ng mga guro at kawani (Because of the destabilization issues circulating, the administration is scrambling to secure the loyalty of the police, while setting aside the long-standing call for decent and livable wages for teachers and staff),” she added.

ACT also highlighted persistent issues such as classroom shortages, inadequate learning materials, delayed benefits, and excessive workloads for teachers.

“Teachers have been demanding a substantial salary increase for years. Frontline workers have been pleading for humane workloads and living wages,” Bernardo said. “Yet this administration has made it painfully clear where its favor lies—and it is not with educators, health workers, or the millions of ordinary government employees.”

The group called for a Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) increase to P5,000, higher salaries for Teacher I positions (up to P50,000), and Salary Grade I government employees (up to P36,000).

ACT reiterated its broader calls to rechannel confidential funds and military pork toward education, health, and other essential public services.

"Mahiya ka naman sa mga guro at kawani na patuloy ding nagbibigay ng serbisyo sa gitna ng krisis at sakunang dulot ng kapabayaan ninyo (Have some shame toward the teachers and staff who continue to provide service in the midst of crises and disasters caused by your negligence),” Bernardo said.

Both TDC and ACT urged the government to demonstrate the same political will shown for military personnel by finally granting substantial, long-overdue salary increases for teachers and civilian government employees—essential workers who sustain the nation’s education, health, and public services.