The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has approved a resolution expressing its strong support for several pending legislative measures in the 20th Congress that seek to substantially increase the salaries and improve the benefits of public school teachers nationwide, Councilor Caesar Distrito said Thursday, June 11..
The resolution, authored by Distrito, appeals to both the Senate and the House of Representatives, through Deputy Speaker alfredo Abelardo Benitez and other concerned officials, to prioritize the passage of these measures into law.
Distrito said the passage of these measures would help address the economic challenges faced by educators while recognizing their indispensable role in shaping future generations of Filipinos.
“Teachers remain the backbone of our educational system. Despite the increasing cost of living and the growing demands of the profession, many of our public school teachers continue to make sacrifices for the sake of their students. They deserve compensation that reflects the dignity, importance, and value of their work,” Distrito said.
The approved resolution highlighted the following bills aimed at uplifting the welfare of public school teachers:
- House Bill No. 203 proposes a minimum monthly salary of ₱50,000.
- House Bill No. 535 seeks to increase the salary grade from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 17.
- House Bill No. 2801 proposes the upgrading of the minimum salary grade from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15.
- House Bill No. 5376 seeks an across-the-board salary increase of ₱20,000.
- Senate Bill No. 211 proposes a ₱15,000 increase in salaries.
- Senate Bill No. 335 seeks a ₱10,000 increase in the basic monthly salary.
- Senate Bill No. 362 proposes a ₱20,000 increase in teachers’ salaries.
- Senate Bill No. 1408 seeks an across-the-board salary increase of ₱10,000.
The resolution further cited Article XIV, Section 5(5) of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the State to assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching attracts and retains its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.
The Bacolod City Council emphasized that investing in teachers is an investment in quality education, national development, and the future of the Filipino people.
“When we uplift our teachers, we strengthen our schools, empower our learners, and secure a better future for our nation,” Distrito said.*
[sibwp_form id=1]