For Poorly Paid Public-School Teachers, a Daily Struggle to Make Ends Meet

Published on May 30, 2009

Proposals for Salary Increases

Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla, along with other congressmen, recently proposed that the entry-level salary of public-school teachers should amount to P25,000 ($527.98). Padilla said this is to show their high regard for teachers.

In a statement, Valbuena of ACT said the solons’ call for a P25,000 ($527.98) monthly salary for teachers is consistent with their demand for a P9,000 ($190) salary increase.

A petition for the increase of public-school teachers’ salary was also addressed to Jonie E. Cua, chairman of the committee on appropriations in the House.

“To recall, the Senate bill proposes a P 9,000 ($190) additional compensation, to be given over a three-year period in three tranches, to public-school teachers, locally-funded teachers, non-teaching personnel of the Department of Education and Philippine Science High School teaching and non-teaching personnel. It likewise seeks to provide a P 1,000 ($21.11) medical check-up annual allowance for covered beneficiaries and a Magna Carta bonus to public school teachers and non-teaching personnel of the DepEd,” the petition read.

The petition also seeks the passage of House Bill 4734, and Senate Bill No. 2408, also known as Educators in Basic Education Compensation Act.

Against Elitist and Regressive Policies

To show support to Padilla’s proposal, ACT has many plans to bring attention to the teachers’ plight when school opens on June 1.

”When school opens on June 1, we will hold activities such as pickets, rallies and noise barrages. Be it at Senate, Congress, and even up to Mendiola, to show that SSL is unacceptable. It is undemocratic, elitist, and regressive,” said Valbuena.

Valbuena said they would also continue to hold political actions and concerted mass actions until they are placed in an appropriate salary grade schedule.

High Hopes

As for Martinez, until one of these proposals is approved, their yearning for a salary increase would remain elusive.

“All of us pin our hopes on that increase. And we hope that all those bills would be approved. A teacher’s job is not easy,” Martinez said. With the increase, she added, “at least they can show their appreciation for what we are doing.” (Bulatlat.com)

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3 Responses to “For Poorly Paid Public-School Teachers, a Daily Struggle to Make Ends Meet”

Dina Says:
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:38 am
Yes, teachers absolutely should earn much more than they are currently earning, although "raise per performance" would be more beneficial than just giving them all a raise.

This article also highlight a problem that you see in Filipino culture that's not addressed here – that of a single wage earner supporting several family members while their relatives don't contribute, happy to accept handouts and be a drain and a leech on the bread winner. This article doesn't mention the reason why that teacher's husband is not working. Maybe he has a valid reason, but too many families I see have "heads of household" or other able-bodied people who are content to let someone else do all the work. Society condones this – why? It is shameful. People should be embarrassed to be leeches on others and yet they brag about it.
Scarlet Says:
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:11 pm
I think that teachers are not paid enough. Why are they not pain more when the taxes that we pay for public schools are being raised every year… Were is that money going. We know that it is not going to the teachers.
joy ortega Says:
March 19th, 2010 at 4:48 am
i have always dreamed of becoming a teacher. teachers not being paid enough doesn't bring me to discouragement. being a teacher is a passion, something i would love to do. but how will i pursue my other dreams every woman would dream of? i simply pertain to having a family – not so rich but just having enough. i consider teachers as heroes. i hope govt will put an action to this because teachers are the reasons why we have doctors, engineers, businessmen, and other professionals.