Public school teachers will gather at Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate, Manila, today, October 5, 2025, as the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) marks World Teachers’ Day with a protest action. The group will press its call for a ₱15,000 across-the-board salary increase for teachers and an end to corruption, which they say has long drained resources away from education.

TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas said the protest will serve as a reminder that teachers will not stay silent while public funds are misused at the expense of books, classrooms, schools, and the welfare of learners and education workers.

“Habang patuloy kaming nagtitiis sa mababang sahod, trilyong piso naman ang nawawala dahil sa korapsyon. Kaya heto tayo ngayon, lubog sa baha ang mga paaralan, kulang at substandard ang classrooms at ang mga guro lubog din sa utang. Kaya sa huli, kawawa ang ating mga mag-aaral,” Basas said.

The group further stressed that World Teachers’ Day must not be reduced to fanfare, flowers, freebies, and discounts, but should be recognized as a time to honor teachers as pillars of society.

“Ang World Teachers’ Day ay hindi dapat manatiling seremonya na lamang. Ito ay araw upang ipaalala na ang mga guro ay haligi ng lipunan at nararapat lamang na kilalanin at bigyan ng pagpapahalaga araw-araw, hindi lamang minsan sa isang taon.” Basas said.

According to Basas, World Teachers’ Day must become a platform to demand concrete solutions to systemic problems of corruption, underfunding, and low teacher pay.

“Kung magiging sinsero ang gobyerno, ang mga pulitiko, lalo na ang ating pangulo sa ipinagmamalaki nilang malasakit sa mga guro, hindi na namin kailangang mag-rally tuwing Teachers’ Day,” Basas added.

The group has vowed to hold more protest actions to push for the ₱15,000 across-the-board increase filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros under Senate Bill 211.

“Kayang-kaya ng gobyerno ang ₱15,000 umento dahil kailangan lamang ng kabuuang halagang ₱210 billion para dito—maliit kumpara sa ₱350 bilyong alokasyon sa flood control ngayong taon,” Basas ended. 

TDC leaders will participate in a press conference at Max’s Malate at 9AM and will occupy a portion of Rajah Sulayman Park for a program at 11AM.


Source: TDC