The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines on Saturday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s praise for teachers and renewed vows to prioritize education ring hollow without a concrete commitment to raise teachers’ salaries to a decent and livable P50,000 entry-level.

ACT was reacting to Marcos’ statements during the “RISE in Service” oath-taking ceremony under the Expanded Career Progression program, where he lauded teachers’ sacrifices and cited budget allocations, allowances, and career reforms as proof of government support.

“Teachers have heard these praises many times before. The question is: when will words of appreciation translate into meaningful pay? Appreciation without a living wage is empty rhetoric," stated Ruby Bernardo, ACT Chairperson.

Bernardo pointed out that several items highlighted by the President—including the P10,000 teaching allowance and the P7,000 medical allowance—are not new initiatives, but hard-won victories of sustained teachers’ campaigns and collective struggle.

“Hindi ito kusang ibinibigay o regalo ng gobyerno. Bunga ito ng panawagan, pangangalampag at organisadong pagkilos ng mga guro at kawani. And while allowances are welcome, they do not solve the problem of chronic low pay," Bernardo pointed out.

ACT stressed that despite the education sector receiving the largest budget allocation, teachers’ base pay remains far below what is needed to meet the rising cost of living, forcing many to rely on loans just to survive.

“Kung seryoso ang Pangulo sa sinasabi niyang ‘better life’ at ‘financial stability’ para sa teachers, itaas ang sweldo sa P50,000. This is entirely doable. Tinaasan nga ang sahod ng pulis at iba pang uniformed personnel, bakit hindi ang mga guro na humuhubog sa kinabukasan ng bansa?," stressed Bernardo. 

ACT also cautioned against overemphasizing career progression and promotion as solutions to teachers’ economic hardship.

“Ikinagagalak namin ang halos tatlong libong gurong na-promote ngunit napakaliit na bilang pa rin ito kumpara sa daanlibong gurong matagal nang hindi umuusad ang karera at may kakarampot na pag-angat sa sweldo. Nakakalungkot din na bagamat may career progression ay maliit at limitado ang pondo para sa programa at nananatiling mahirap ang proseso sa karamihan ng mga guro. Kaya sa kagyat, malinaw na ang pinakakailangan ng maraming guro ay sahod na sapat para mabuhay nang disente at magtataguyod sa kanilang pamilya," Bernardo explained.

The group reiterated that genuine prioritization of education begins with valuing teachers not just in speeches, but in payrolls.

ACT vowed to continue pressing the Marcos administration and Congress to heed teachers’ demands and act decisively on a P50,000 salary, stressing that quality education is inseparable from the welfare of those who deliver it.#

Source: ACT