House of Representatives bill seeks to elevate the teachers salary to P50,000
On Valentine’s Day, the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives chose to express their love and appreciation for the nation’s educators in a unique way: by introducing a bill aimed at significantly increasing teachers’ salaries. Representatives Arlene Brosas of Gabriela, Raoul Manuel of Kabataan, and France Castro of ACT Teachers jointly filed House Bill No. 9920, which proposes raising the minimum monthly salary for teachers to P50,000.
In their rationale for the bill, the lawmakers emphasized their desire to bridge the gap between teachers’ salaries and the rising cost of living. They also highlighted the disparity created by the recent doubling of entry-level pay for military and uniformed personnel. They argued that granting substantial salary increases is essential to ensuring that educators receive fair compensation for their hard work and dedication, as well as to honor their contribution to the nation’s development.
If enacted, this proposed increase would nearly double the current basic wage for public school teachers, which currently stands at approximately P27,000 per month. This adjustment would align the teachers’ salary with Salary Grade 15 under the Salary Standardization Law (SSL). Additionally, the bill calls for annual adjustments in the pay of public school teachers and support personnel to keep pace with the cost of living.
The lawmakers stressed that the current wages are insufficient to support a decent standard of living, especially considering the family living wage needed to sustain a household of five. They pointed out the significant disparities between the salary increases granted to teachers compared to other front-liners, such as soldiers and police, under the Duterte administration. These discrepancies, coupled with inflation and excise taxes, have eroded the purchasing power of teachers’ salaries and contributed to the growing dissatisfaction among educators.
In summary, the Makabayan lawmakers underscored the urgent need to address the widening gap between teachers’ salaries and the cost of living, emphasizing the importance of providing fair and adequate compensation to educators who play a vital role in shaping the future of the country.
Politics News: House of Representatives bill seeks to elevate the teachers salary to P50,000
