📷: Alliance of Concerned Teachers – Philippines | FB
As the country reels from the successive impacts of Typhoon Crising and the southwest monsoon, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), with other government employees’ organizations, held a press conference today to speak out on the worsening conditions faced by public sector workers and the people they serve.
As the State of the Nation Address (SONA) draws near, ACT stresses the urgent need to expose the harsh realities facing public servants in the Philippines—measly wages, unstable contractual work, and a system failing to respond adequately in times of disaster.
“Habang binabaha ang mga komunidad, lalo ring nalulubog sa krisis ang mga manggagawang lingkod-bayan. Higit na dama ng masa ang gutom at kababaan ng sahod sa panahon ng kalamidad. Walang sapat na ayuda, hindi ligtas ang mga eskwelahan at komunidad, at lalong tumitindi ang pangangailangan ng mamamayan na hindi natutugunan ng gobyerno,” Vladimer Quetua, ACT Chairperson lamented.
ACT emphasized that many government employees continue to serve despite unsafe conditions, with little to no support for their own recovery and welfare. The press conference amplified calls for wage hikes, job security, and substantial increases in social services, especially in disaster-stricken areas.
“Habang nagbubunyi si Marcos sa kanyang SONA, kami ang maglalantad ng tunay na kalagayan—isang gobyernong walang malasakit, isang sistemang mapagsamantala. Panahon na para maningil. Panahon na para lumaban,” Quetua ended.#
