By Merlina Hernando Malipot

A group of teachers on Thursday still reminded President Rodrigo Duterte of his promise to hike the salary of teachers even after he had already gave an assurance that there would be enough funds to implement the pay adjustments.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) welcomed the signing of an Executive Order on March 15 which directed the allotment of funds for the salary adjustment of government personnel that was scheduled for implementation in 2019.

The EO 76 ensured funding for the fourth tranche of salary increase under EO 201 signed by former President Benigno Aquino III, which granted an 11-percent increase in the salaries of civilian government employees.

However, the TDC lamented that “the fourth tranche for the teachers’ entry-level position would only amount to P575.”

Given this, group reminded the President of his “promise to hike the mentors pay which he has been bragging (about) in many occasions.”

“What we want is a legislated salary increase of at least P10, 000 across-the-board,” TDC said. “That is both to recognize the need for economic augmentation and a proper appraisal of the teaching profession,” it added.

Duterte issued the EO No. 76 amid the ongoing 2019 budget deadlock. The fourth tranche of compensation adjustment for government employees is lodged in the 2019 General Appropriations Act (GAA) which should have started in January.

Meanwhile, a teachers’ federation slammed legislative leadership for “failing” on its budget duty.

“The leadership of the 17th Congress of the Philippines proved to be a huge disappointment for most teachers and education workers,” said the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT).

ACT noted that the Senate and the House of Representatives “have jointly failed to uphold the interests of our sector and the majority of the Filipino people repeatedly, but notably more so in recent months.” The group noted that among the immediate collaterals of the budget impasse are public employees who were denied of the paltry increases from the 4th tranche of salary adjustment under EO 201, s.2016 amid “continually soaring” costs of living. “This neglect not only from our legislators but from the entire Duterte administration is criminal,” ACT ended.