July 06, 2024 - The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines is reaching out to incoming Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Senator Sonny Angara, following his support for a salary increase for public school teachers. ACT is requesting dialogues and consultations to discuss their demands for a substantial pay raise.
"We commend Senator Angara for recognizing the need to improve teachers' salaries. We hope his support translates into action," said Raymond Basilio, ACT Secretary-General. "We urge him to work with us and hold thorough consultations to secure a significant salary increase."
ACT is pushing for a P50,000 entry-level salary for teachers and P33,000 for Salary Grade 1 employees. They believe this will address the gap between the cost of living and current teacher salaries, while also making their pay more competitive with other professions requiring similar qualifications.
Basilio highlighted Angara's past efforts as Senate Committee on Finance Chair, where he advocated for salary hikes for teachers. "We hope he brings the same determination to his new role," he said.
ACT also urged the incoming DepEd chief to tackle other education concerns. These include:
- Doubling the education budget to address shortages in resources.
- Reviewing and overhauling the curriculum.
- Protecting the labor and democratic rights of teachers and education workers.