The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines marked World Teachers’ Day and the convening of its 17th National Congress with a resounding call for urgent reforms in the education sector, as teacher-leaders from across the country presented the 6-Point World Teachers’ Day Demands.
In a press conference held at the University of the Philippines Diliman, ACT decried President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s continued silence on the crisis confronting teachers and schools, saying it reflects the administration’s lack of care and political will.
“The President’s silence is telling. Habang sumisigaw ng P50K entry-level salary at sapat na pondo sa edukasyon ang mga guro, nananatiling tahimik si Marcos Jr.—walang tugon, walang direksyon, walang malasakit. Sa panahon ng krisis, ang katahimikan ay isang uri ng pagpapabaya,” said newly elected ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo.
Following the press conference, the teachers staged a symbolic ₱50K human formation to dramatize their demand for a ₱50,000 entry-level salary for teachers and substantial pay hikes for all education personnel.
ACT also lambasted the government’s continuing disregard for teachers’ welfare—from the meager and delayed benefits under Executive Order No. 64, to the absence of funds for overload pay, promotions, and benefits, even as billions are lost to corruption and pork-laden infrastructure projects.
“Habang binabarat ang guro, sagad-sagaran naman ang pondo para sa mga tiwali at walang silbing proyekto. Hindi na maikakaila: ang gobyernong ito ay mas abala sa pagpapayaman ng iilan kaysa sa pagtataguyod ng karapatan ng mamamayan sa edukasyon,” Bernardo said.
The teachers’ group presented its 6-Point World Teachers’ Day Demands, urging the Marcos administration to:
(1) raise teachers’ and education support staff’s salaries to living wage levels;
(2) double the education budget to 6% of GDP;
(3) hold corrupt officials and bureaucrats accountable;
(4) stop attacks on teachers’ rights and military intrusion in schools;
(5) reject colonial, commercialized, and repressive education; and
(6) resist foreign intervention and warmongering.
“If the government truly values teachers, then it must act—now. Enough of the press releases, enough of the lip service. Ang kailangan ay tiyak na aksyon, sapat na pondo, at respeto sa karapatan ng kaguruan.” Bernardo concluded.#
