Makabayan bloc lawmakers on Tuesday, January 13, filed a bill seeking to raise the minimum salaries of teachers in public schools to ₱50,000 per month.
Under House Bill No. 9920, Gabriella Women's Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. France Castro, Kabataan Party-List Rep. Raoul Manuel proposed the ₱50,000 monthly salary or equivalent to the salary grade 15 stated in the Salary Standardization Law.
"Provided, that salaries of those occupying higher positions shall be adjusted accordingly," they added.
The lawmakers also proposed a yearly salary adjustment for public school teachers and education support personnel "upon consultation with the unions and organizations of public school teachers, shall recommend to Congress the appropriation of the necessary funds."
Once enacted, the Makabayan solons said the education department, high education commission, and budget and management department shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the act's implementation.
"Should any provision herein be declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act," they said.
Screengrab from ACT Teachers Party-List / Facebook page
Meanwhile, in a video statement, Castro said the present ₱27,000 monthly salary is "not enough" for public school teachers.
The ₱50,000 monthly salary, she said, is the more decent salary that could improve the quality of life of an educator.
