A group of teachers on Saturday, Dec. 17, welcomed the order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to grant service recognition incentive (SRI) and rice allowance to government employees.

(DepED file photo)

“Natupad ang isa sa ating Christmas wishes, ang ipagpatuloy ang SRI bilang pagkilala sa husay at kasipagan ng mga guro at kawani sa kabila ng dinaranas pa ring pandemya at krisis.” (One of our Christmas wishes came true, to continue SRI in recognition of the skill and hard work of the teachers and staff amid the pandemic and crisis),” Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) Chair Benjo Basas said in a statement.

The SRI, Malacañang said, is a “one-time grant at a uniform rate not exceeding P20,000 for employees in the executive department.”

Malacañang added that those who are entitled to receive the SRI include civilian personnel in national government agencies (NGAs), covering those in state universities and colleges (SUCs), government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), regular, contractual or casual employees, members of the military and the police, as well as fire and jail personnel under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Eligible personnel from the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) as well as employees of both houses of Congress, the Judiciary, Office of the Ombudsman and Constitutional offices are also entitled to receive the SRI.

While teachers are “grateful” to the President for the granting of SRI, TDC reiterated its call for the implementation of “substantial policies” that will help the teaching and non-teaching personnel in schools.

The group also urged the Marcos administration to implement long-term initiatives for teachers such as salary increases.

“Mas mainam pa rin na ikonsidera ng pamahalaan ang pagpapataas ng sahod ng mga guro at kawani lalo na at nasa huling tranche na ang SSL-V sa susunod na taon (It is still better for the government to consider raising the salaries of teachers and staff, especially since SSL-V is in its final tranche next year),” Basas added.

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