Public school teachers across the country are calling on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release the second tranche of the salary increase under the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) VI, as mandated by Executive Order (EO) No. 64, s. 2024. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines has expressed frustration over the delay, saying that educators have been left struggling with rising costs while waiting for their adjusted salaries.

According to ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua, the delay has worsened teachers’ financial hardships. “The heat index is rising, and so is the cost of living. Yet, teachers are still waiting for their rightful salary increase,” he said. The adjustment was supposed to take effect in January 2025, but three months have passed, and many teachers have not yet received their updated salaries.

The Impact of the Salary Delay on Teachers

Teachers are among the most important workers in society, yet many continue to struggle financially due to low wages and rising expenses. The delay in their salary increase has only made things worse.

1. Cost of Living Increases – Prices of basic commodities, transportation, and utilities continue to rise, making it harder for teachers to afford daily necessities.
2. Reliance on Loans – Many teachers resort to borrowing money just to cover daily expenses. The delayed salary adjustment has left them in deeper debt.
3. Stress and Burnout – Teaching is already a demanding profession, and financial difficulties only add to the stress and mental burden that teachers experience.

Quetua stressed that although the increase is only around P1,500 for most teaching positions, every peso counts. “This is not just a bureaucratic delay. It directly affects the well-being of teachers and their families,” he explained.

Government’s Responsibility to Ensure Timely Salary Adjustments

ACT has urged the Marcos Jr. administration to prioritize teachers’ welfare by:

• Releasing the delayed salary increase immediately
• Implementing a substantial wage hike in future budget allocations
• Ensuring that salary adjustments are processed on time to prevent similar issues in the future

The group continues to push for a P50,000 entry-level salary for teachers and a national minimum wage of P33,000 for all workers. They argue that fair wages are essential to improving education quality and resolving the country’s learning crisis.

Upcoming Talks Between ACT and DBM

To address these concerns, ACT and DBM are set to hold a dialogue on March 6. The meeting will focus on:

• The delayed salary increase
• Performance management and evaluation policies
• Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) incentives for public school teachers

Teachers hope that this dialogue will lead to concrete solutions and that their long-overdue salary increase will finally be released.

Conclusion

Public school teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of the country. Ensuring fair and timely wages is not just about compensating their work—it’s about respecting their contributions and helping them live with dignity. The government must act quickly to resolve these delays and work towards providing teachers with salaries that truly match their efforts and responsibilities.

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