The call for a ₱50,000 entry-level salary for public school teachers has grown louder as educators across the country renewed their fight for just compensation amid the soaring cost of living.
Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) chairperson Vladimer Quetua said their decades-old demand has become even more urgent as inflation continues to erode their already modest income. “We are tied to the ₱50 pay per day from 2024 to 2027 under the law,” Quetua said. “If we will follow this law, while prices of goods and services are skyrocketing, we were hoping for some sort of an upgrade.”
Thousands of teachers joined a mass walkout on October 3, marking World Teachers’ Day with a show of unity to push for higher wages, improved benefits, and better working conditions. The protest also denounced widespread corruption in government projects and the chronic underfunding of the education sector.
Quetua stressed that their clamor is backed by pending measures in Congress—House Bill No. 203, which seeks to set the minimum teacher salary at ₱50,000, and House Bill No. 2903, which proposes an across-the-board increase of ₱15,000.
In response, the Department of Education (DepEd) said it respects the teachers’ right to peaceful protest and remains open to dialogue. “Under the leadership of President Marcos, the government continues to champion the welfare of public servants—including our teachers—through reforms like Executive Order No. 64,” said DepEd media relations chief Dennis Legaspi, referring to the wage adjustments for government personnel implemented last year.
Quetua, however, said the government must go beyond promises. “We welcome their acknowledgment, but this would just be another lip service from the government. What we want are actions from the Department of Education,” he said, adding that while billions are lost to corruption, teachers continue to struggle to make ends meet.
