Senator Sonny Angara reiterated his call to hike the salaries of public school teachers in recognition of the critical role they play in the lives of our children and in nation building.

Senate Bill 131 filed by Angara calls for an increase in the starting pay of public school teachers, from the present Salary Grade 11 (P20,754) to Salary Grade 19 (P45,269) based on the fourth tranche of the Salary Standardization Law.

A corresponding upgrade in the salaries of the rest of the teachers above the entry level would also be implemented.

The upgrade in salaries will be done over a period of five years so that the Department of Budget and Management will be able to make the necessary budgetary adjustments.

“Sometimes we forget just how important the role teachers play in our lives. We take for granted the hard work that they put in to craft our children into productive members of society,” Angara said.

“Without our teachers, parents would have to make great sacrifices to educate their children and many of them can’t afford to do this. That is why we should at the very least raise their salaries to a level that will recognize their value,” Angara added.

The increase in the pay of the 800,000 public school teachers was something that was also promised by President Duterte.

Over the years, the salaries of policemen and soldiers have gone up, but the teachers pay have remained the same.

Angara said the adjustment in the salary grades of teachers is also justified considering the rising cost of living.

“Tuloy tuloy ang pag taas ng presyo ng bilihin, parami ng parami ang mga estudyante, pabigat ng pabigat ang trabaho ng ating mga guro, pero ang sweldo nila ay napako na ng ilang taon. Panahon na para taasan natin ang sahod nila,” Angara said.

Apart from their personal expenses, Angara noted that for many of the teachers, they also have to spend a portion of their salaries for the purchase of teaching supplies because many times they do not get enough from their budgets to pay for these.