House to prioritize higher pay, more benefits for teachers

MANILA – The House of Representatives will prioritize improving the salaries, benefits, and access to additional resources for the country's nearly 1 million public school teachers, Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed on Thursday.

Romualdez gave the assurance during the 2024 National Teachers' Day Culminating Celebration at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

"In all of the challenges that you face, we in Congress must stress that we will not waver in our promise to give you (in the Department of Education) our continued support in your programs, not just for the laws that we pass, but for the betterment of our teachers as well," Romualdez said.

"And this includes higher pay, more benefits, which should extend to more opportunities for training and progress of everyone," he added.

Romualdez said the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., with the help of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, is committed to delivering on its promises.

"Our promise will definitely not end up as mere lip service. The administration of President Marcos will make sure that you are equipped with all the necessary tools that will advance your chosen career, but will also ultimately redound to the benefit of our future leaders," Romualdez said.

He also thanked educators for their devotion and dedication in shaping students into "productive citizens of our progressing society."

"We salute our teachers who have made sacrifices beyond their limits, who always go out of their way to help our students learn so that they will be fully prepared for the realities and struggles of life the moment they enter our labor force," he said.

He said the government will pursue education reforms under the Bagong Pilipinas campaign.

"As we always say, education is the foundation of everyone's success, and for which this administration will vigorously pursue in our 'Bagong Pilipinas' theme. And you as teachers, being pillars of our education system, will be there as guiding light for our youth," he said.

Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., meanwhile, has committed to push for an increase in the World Teachers' Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) to P3,000 per teacher through House Bill 7840.

The proposal aims to raise the current incentive of P1,000 and institutionalize the benefit.

"We must augment the value of the WTDIB and make the grant of this incentive permanent through legislation," Campos said.

For this year's celebration, Campos said the government has set aside a total funding of P912 million in the 2024 General Appropriations Law for the WTDIB.

"Congress earmarked the sum of P912 million to fund the WTDIB at P1,000 per public school teacher, payable on October 5. This allocation is itemized in the 2024 General Appropriations Law," Campos said.

He noted that the allocation for 2025 has been increased to P955 million to continue the annual incentive.

"We are determined to sustain the annual funding for the WTDIB for our teachers. In fact, the 2025 national budget we approved last month includes another P955 million allocation for this benefit," Campos said.

The benefit aims to recognize the contribution of educators and is distributed annually on World Teachers' Day.

The WTDIB was first included in the 2019 General Appropriations Law with an initial funding of P800 million.

The celebration of World Teachers' Day is pursuant to Republic Act 10743 or An Act Declaring the fifth day of October of every year as the National Teachers' Day, in subjection also to the set celebration of the United Nations Education and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO).

Campos, meanwhile, reiterated Congress' commitment to funding the newly enacted Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Law (Republic Act No. 11997), which provides a P10,000 annual teaching allowance for public school teachers beginning in the school year 2025-2026.

The law doubles the current amount of P5,000 given to teachers.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna declared a suspension of classes at all levels in public schools, including day care centers, in celebration of National and World Teachers' Day on Friday.

In a statement Thursday, Lacuna's spokesperson Princess Abante said the measure, pursuant to Executive Order (EO) signed on Oct. 3, aims to recognize the efforts of public school teachers in the city and give them a wellness day.

Classes are also suspended at the two city government-run higher education institutions – the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and the Universidad de Manila (UDM).

Abante added that the mayor is requesting teachers to provide activity sheets or modules for the intended lesson on Friday.

The mayor also encouraged private schools, colleges and universities, as well as state colleges and universities in Manila to give the same honor to their respective faculties. (PNA)