A renewed push to raise the salaries of public school teachers is gaining ground in the House of Representatives, with lawmakers being urged to turn pay increase proposals into actual budget support.
The discussion follows a dialogue between teachers’ groups and House leaders, where the House appropriations panel said it was working on a proposal to increase teachers’ salaries.
One pending measure, House Bill No. 6252, seeks to upgrade the minimum monthly pay of public school teachers from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 19, a jump that could significantly improve the take-home pay of classroom educators.
Teachers’ groups welcomed the development but said they expect concrete action, not just another round of promises.
ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio said educators will closely monitor whether the proposal will be included in the upcoming national budget and implemented without delay.
“This is a welcome development, and we look forward to seeing this translated into actual budget allocation and implementation,” he said.
He said teachers have long carried the burden of low pay despite the scale and importance of their work, especially during the pandemic, when many educators used their own money for printing modules, internet connection, laptops, and other learning needs.
The proposal to move teachers to Salary Grade 19 could go beyond the P50,000 monthly pay being sought by some teachers’ groups, depending on the salary step. Advocates said this would help bring teacher compensation closer to a living wage and make the profession more sustainable.
Tinio, however, warned that teachers have heard similar commitments in the past and would not be satisfied by statements alone.
“Teachers will follow this issue very carefully. The Marcos administration must deliver promptly. Hindi puwedeng pangako lang nang pangako habang naghihirap ang mga guro at kawani sa mababang sahod,” he said.
He called on the government to use the budget process to fund a substantial salary increase, saying the issue now depends on whether leaders are willing to prioritize teacher welfare.
“Panahon na para itaas ang sahod ng guro. Guro naman,” Tinio said. “The administration has the numbers in Congress. It has the opportunity in the budget. What it needs now is the political will to make it happen.”