The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines on Saturday dismissed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s renewed vows to prioritize education as “empty rhetoric” without a concrete commitment to raise teachers’ entry-level salaries to a livable ₱50,000.
Speaking after Marcos lauded teachers’ sacrifices during the RISE in Service” oath-taking ceremony under the Expanded Career Progression program.
“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,” ACT Chairperson Ruby Bernardo said.
Bernardo stressed that the allowances cited by the President,including the ₱10,000 teaching allowance and ₱7,000 medical allowance, were not new initiatives but hard-won gains from years of 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,” she said.
ACT underscored that despite the education sector receiving the largest budget allocation, teachers’ base pay remains far below the rising cost of living, forcing many to rely on loans.
“Kung seryoso ang Pangulo sa sinasabi niyang ‘better life’ at ‘financial stability’ para sa teachers, itaas ang sweldo sa ₱50,000. 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?” Bernardo added.
The group also cautioned against portraying career progression as a solution to economic hardship, noting that only a fraction of teachers benefits from promotions.
“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. 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.
ACT reiterated that genuine prioritization of education must begin with valuing teachers not just in speeches but in payrolls.
The group vowed to continue pressing the Marcos administration and Congress to heed the demand for a ₱50,000 entry-level salary, stressing that quality education is inseparable from the welfare of those who deliver it. (ZIA LUNA)
