Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
DepEd, DBM urged to release full P20,000 SRI to teachers before New Year
Philippines
National
DepEd, DBM urged to release full P20,000 SRI to teachers before New Year
DepEd, DBM urged to release full P20,000 SRI to teachers before New Year
Published Dec 27, 2025 12:13 pm
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Updated Dec 27, 2025 01:04 pm
ACT Philippines calls on DepEd and DBM to ensure the full and timely release of the P20,000 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) to teachers and education workers before the New Year, warning that delays or partial payments undermine government recognition of educators’ service. (Manila Bulletin/file)
A group on Saturday, December 27, called on the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to ensure the full and timely release of the P20,000 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) to all eligible teachers and education workers before the end of 2025.
In a statement, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) reiterated its appeal to DepEd and DBM to release the full P20,000 SRI to teachers and education workers before the end of the year, saying educators deserve timely and complete recognition for their service.
ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo said teachers should not be made to wait for a benefit that has already been authorized by President Marcos, stressing that the SRI is intended to provide immediate financial relief, particularly during the holiday season.
“Teachers are again being made to wait and worry over a benefit that has already been authorized by the President,” Bernardo said.
“The SRI is meant to provide immediate relief, especially during the holidays, not become another source of anxiety due to bureaucratic delays,” she added.
ACT highlighted the urgency of releasing the incentive in full, citing stagnant wages, rising prices of basic commodities, and the increasing workload faced by teachers and education personnel nationwide.
The group also urged DepEd to fast-track its internal processes to ensure uniform implementation of the SRI across all regions and divisions. It likewise called on DBM to promptly issue the necessary budgetary guidelines and approvals to avoid delays, partial releases, or staggered payments.
“The government cannot speak of recognizing teachers’ service while failing to deliver a clearly mandated incentive on time and in full,” Bernardo said. “Any release short of P20,000 or beyond the New Year defeats the purpose of the SRI,” she added.
ACT emphasized that the Service Recognition Incentive should not be treated as a discretionary bonus, but as a form of long-overdue recognition for public school teachers and education workers who kept the education system running amid crises, shortages, and mounting pressures.
“Binarat na nga ang dagdag-sweldo, binitin at hinati-hati pa ang inaasahang mga benepisyo (The promised salary increase has already been slashed, while the expected benefits were delayed and fragmented),” Bernardo said.
“Kung tunay ang pagkilala at pagpapahalaga ng gobyerno sa mga guro at kawani, dapat na makatao at disente ang sweldo at benepisyo (If the government truly recognizes and values teachers and staff, their salaries and benefits should be humane and decent),” she added.
ACT warned that continued delays or any reduction in the SRI amount would further deepen frustration and demoralization among teachers, who already bear the brunt of an underfunded and overstretched public education system.