PUBLIC school teachers are expressing growing frustration over the delayed implementation of the promised salary increase, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to their welfare.
ACT party-list Rep. France Castro, a vocal advocate for teachers’ rights, has publicly questioned the Marcos administration’s delay in delivering the pay raise outlined in Executive Order (EO) 64, signed on August 2, 2024.
While Malacañang touted the EO as a significant step towards improving the financial well-being of government employees, including teachers, the reality on the ground paints a different picture.
A month after the EO’s issuance, most government employees, including teachers, has yet to see any increase in their salaries.
“We have an EO, we have implementing rules and regulations, but the salary increase is nowhere to be found,” Castro lamented. “Teachers’ payslips remain unchanged, and the promised increase remains elusive.”
Castro emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the significant impact of inflation on teachers’ livelihoods. “Our teachers have long awaited a substantial adjustment to their salaries, which is crucial for them to cope with the rising cost of living,” she stated.
The lawmaker further criticized the government’s decision to implement a minimal increase, which she believes falls short of addressing the actual needs of teachers. “The increase is already meager, and now it’s being delayed,” Castro said, adding, “Teachers continue to demand a P50,000 entry-level salary and a substantial increase in their wages.”
Adding to the teachers’ frustration is the retroactive nature of EO 64, which stipulates that the salary increase should have been implemented as early as January 1, 2024. The delay in implementing the EO has left teachers feeling disregarded and undervalued, particularly as they face the daily challenges of educating the nation’s youth.
Castro has called upon the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and other relevant government agencies to expedite the implementation of EO 64, including the P7,000 medical allowances promised to all government employees. “The funds have been allocated, and the commitment has been made in the SONA,” she emphasized. “It’s time to translate these promises into reality for our hardworking civil servants.”
The delay in delivering the promised salary increase has fueled anxieties among teachers, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to their well-being and the future of public education. Teachers are demanding swift action from the government to ensure that their needs are met and that they are adequately compensated for their vital role in shaping the future of the nation.
