President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for an increase in the Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) for public school teachers from ₱18,000 to ₱20,000, recognizing their vital role in shaping the nation’s youth.
The President directed the Departments of Budget and Management (DBM) and Education (DepEd) to collaborate on implementing the SRI hike, which is expected to benefit over 1 million DepEd personnel. The SRI is an annual financial reward granted to government employees for their dedication to quality and responsive public service.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara praised the President’s initiative, describing it as a morale booster for educators. “This underscores our shared goal of empowering teachers and reinforcing their critical role in shaping the future of Filipino learners,” he said in a PhilStar report.
In an interview in Bulacan, Marcos reiterated the importance of prioritizing teachers. “Teachers are a special category. So we have to handle that individually,” he stated.
Public school teachers welcomed the directive but expressed hope that their calls for a salary increase would also be addressed. The Teachers Dignity Coalition commended the move but said further efforts are needed to improve teachers’ overall compensation.
The DBM and DepEd are now tasked with exploring budgetary measures to implement the increase without compromising fiscal responsibilities.
