The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) reiterated its call for a substantial salary increase for public school teachers, saying that the government has enough resources to fund it if priorities are set properly.

TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas stressed that even a one-time salary adjustment of ₱15,000 for one million DepEd teachers and employees is feasible, requiring only ₱210 billion in total funds.

“Ang hinihingi nating dagdag na sahod para sa mga guro ay kayang-kaya kung gugustuhin lang ng gobyerno. Ang ₱15,000 increase ay katumbas lamang ng ₱210 billion, mas mababa pa kaysa ₱346 billion na inilaan para sa flood control projects ngayong 2025 na karamihan ay maanomalya,” Basas said.

He explained that under Senate Bill 211 filed by Senator Risa Hontiveros, the first tranche of ₱6,000 would only cost ₱84 billion. Even a minimum of ₱5,000 increase would require just ₱70 billion, while a ₱10,000 increase would need ₱140 billion.

“Malinaw na hindi kalabisan ang hinihingi ng mga guro. Mas makabuluhang paggugol ito kumpara sa ibang proyekto na ginawang gatasan ng mga tiwaling opisyal at contractor para tustusan ang kanilang maluhong pamumuhay,” Basas added.

The TDC emphasized that government resources should be redirected to essential services such as education, health, livelihood and food security, which directly improve the lives of Filipinos.

“Kapag naibigay ang sapat na badyet sa mga guro at edukasyon, o ang pagpapabuti sa mga pampublikong ospital at serbisyong pangkalusugan, o mabigyan ng kabuhayan ang mga mamamayan at mapaunlad ang sektor ng agrikultura, malaki ang maitutulong nito para maiangat ng pamumuhay ng mga mamamayan at mabawasan ang kahirapan at krimen,” Basas pointed out.

Basas further argued that other possible fund sources exist, such as intelligence or confidential funds in various offices, perks enjoyed by officials in the legislature and executive, and allocations to government-owned and controlled corporations.

“Kailangan na ang badyet na nakatuon sa mga mamamayan at tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng tao. Pero kailangan ding mahigpit itong bantayan at papanagutin ang mga nagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan, dapat na mabilis ang paglilitis at mas mabigat ang parusa,” Basas concluded.

Earlier, during a hearing of the House Basic Education Committee, Basas called on Congress to divert the flood control funds to education spending.

SOURCE: TDC