NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Teachers And Government Employees Rally For Salary Hike During 2024 National Budget Deliberations
Photo credit: Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Philippines
In a bid to secure better compensation, teachers and government employees have launched a protest during the opening of discussions on the proposed P5.768 trillion national budget for 2024 at the House of Representatives. The demonstrators are urging legislators to address their demands for an increase in salaries.
As the deliberations on the 2024 national budget kick off, educators and other public servants have united in a fervent call for higher wages. The event saw a cacophony of voices outside the gates of the House of Representatives, as teachers and government workers pressed lawmakers to take action on their longstanding demand for improved compensation.
Amid the anticipation surrounding the proposed budget, critics were quick to point out that the administration under Marcos Jr. had allocated zero funds for salary increases for government employees. Advocates argue that as the implementation of Salary Standardization Law V draws to a close this year, the government should have incorporated the next round of raises into its proposal.
Vladimer Quetua, Chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), expressed the disappointment of educators and public servants: "As the congressional hearings commence, we wish to emphasize to our lawmakers the necessity of earmarking funds for salary hikes for teachers and government workers in 2024. Given the severity of the economic crisis, it is only just to raise the wages of a broad spectrum of public servants, including us teachers and education personnel, to a livable and respectable level."
Quetua further added, "Our teaching profession has long been left behind in terms of compensation, despite the heavy responsibilities imposed on us by the government for learning recovery.
Thus, it is only fair that the increase in salary matches the dedication and sacrifices of teachers who continue to provide education despite significant deficiencies in funding, teachers, classrooms and facilities, as well as learning and teaching resources. It's disappointing to see a lack of support for a salary increase while there are millions allocated for confidential funds!"
The ACT reiterated its long-standing demands, including a starting pay of P50,000 for teachers and P33,000 for Salary Grade 1 employees. The organization also called upon lawmakers to meet the United Nations' benchmark of allocating six percent of the country's gross domestic product to the education budget.
Additionally, the group urged for the redirection of confidential and intelligence funds towards social services and educational needs, signaling a strong commitment to ensuring quality education and fair compensation for teachers and government workers.
As the deliberations on the 2024 national budget kick off, educators and other public servants have united in a fervent call for higher wages. The event saw a cacophony of voices outside the gates of the House of Representatives, as teachers and government workers pressed lawmakers to take action on their longstanding demand for improved compensation.
Amid the anticipation surrounding the proposed budget, critics were quick to point out that the administration under Marcos Jr. had allocated zero funds for salary increases for government employees. Advocates argue that as the implementation of Salary Standardization Law V draws to a close this year, the government should have incorporated the next round of raises into its proposal.
Vladimer Quetua, Chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), expressed the disappointment of educators and public servants: "As the congressional hearings commence, we wish to emphasize to our lawmakers the necessity of earmarking funds for salary hikes for teachers and government workers in 2024. Given the severity of the economic crisis, it is only just to raise the wages of a broad spectrum of public servants, including us teachers and education personnel, to a livable and respectable level."
Quetua further added, "Our teaching profession has long been left behind in terms of compensation, despite the heavy responsibilities imposed on us by the government for learning recovery.
Thus, it is only fair that the increase in salary matches the dedication and sacrifices of teachers who continue to provide education despite significant deficiencies in funding, teachers, classrooms and facilities, as well as learning and teaching resources. It's disappointing to see a lack of support for a salary increase while there are millions allocated for confidential funds!"
The ACT reiterated its long-standing demands, including a starting pay of P50,000 for teachers and P33,000 for Salary Grade 1 employees. The organization also called upon lawmakers to meet the United Nations' benchmark of allocating six percent of the country's gross domestic product to the education budget.
Additionally, the group urged for the redirection of confidential and intelligence funds towards social services and educational needs, signaling a strong commitment to ensuring quality education and fair compensation for teachers and government workers.
Aug 10, 2023
