Teachers demands P50,000 salary, opposes P50 daily hike

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) sets out five demands in line with the celebration of World Teachers’ Day on October 2, one of which calling for a P50,000 salary instead of a P50 salary hike per day

ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua condemned the Executive Order No. 64, an order increasing the daily wage of teachers for P50, saying that it is not enough to meet their growing needs.

“Libo-libo talaga ang nag-aabroad dahil dito,” Quetua said, emphasizing the trend of Filipino teachers seeking better opportunities abroad. 

The group also demanded action on the incidents violating human and labour rights among teachers.

ACT Partylist also called for a higher budget for education with at least 6% of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) to fulfill the shortage of a favorable environment for the teachers, as well as to allot a bigger budget portion to increase their benefits. 

“Sa halip na mag-hire ng maraming teachers, pinabigat ‘yong workloads ng mga teachers,” Former ACT Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio commented on the heavier workload on teachers. 

Raising the election honorarium of teachers this coming elections from P10,000 to P15,000 with tax being eliminated was also demanded by ACTS Partylist as they are set to work at polling centers for the midterm polls next year. 

Tinio also seeks accountability for the alleged corruption in the Department of Education (DepEd) involving ex-secretary Vice President Sara Duterte. 

“Kung vice president ang involved dito, nauna na ang ACT partylist sa pagdeklara na impeachable ang offense na ito,” Tinio stated, seeking her impeachment.

The group will march on the Malacañang on October 4 to press their demands to the government.