ACT Teachers Representative France Castro joined teachers, health workers and other government employees in their unity walk for a substantial salary increase, saying the General Appropriations Bill still does not provide teachers and other government employees a substantial salary increase.
“As we celebrate our teachers this world teachers’ day, it is high time for the Duterte administration to heed the calls of our teachers and honor them by providing a long overdue substantial salary increase,” Castro said. “P31 billion is way less than the measly increase provided by the 4th tranche of the SSL 4 and a far cry from the substantial salary increase teachers and other government employees have been demanding from the Duterte administration.”
“Public school teachers and other government employees have long been calling for a substantial increase in their salaries. Meanwhile, government is so quick to call them ‘too ambitious’ even to the extent of calling those who rally on the streets fighting for their basic rights as terrorists,” Castro added. “The Duterte administration prioritizes its budget in funding policies to suppress, harass, criminalize and terrorize critics, dissenters and those fighting for their rights. They should instead prioritize budget for social services including a substantial salary increase for government employees who are at the forefront of providing services for the Filipino people.”
“Humihirap pa lalo ang mahirap nang pamumuhay ng ating mga guro at ibang kawani ng gobyerno dahil sa kabi-kabilang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin. Mas maliit pa sa baryang natanggap sa 4th tranche ng EO 201 ang matatanggap mula sa P31 billion na pondo na paghahatian ng mahigit 1 milyong kawani ng gobyerno,” Castro stated.
“Our House Bill 219 proposed P30,000 for Teacher 1 and P16,000 for Salary Grade 1. This is what our teachers and other government employees demand and what they expected to hear. Hangga’t hindi naibibigay ng gobyerno ang sweldo na disente at nakabubuhay sa kanyang mga empleyado lalo na sa mga guro, patuloy na ipaglalaban ang nakabubuhay na sahod, karapatan at mga benepisyo.” Castro ended. (PR)
