Teachers march for pay hike

CEBU, Philippines - Almost a hundred Cebuano teachers yesterday marched along Osmeña Boulevard to push for the salary increase of educators.  The Alliance of Concerned Teachers led the “Walk for Salary” activity from Abellana National School to Fuente Osmeña amid threats of unpleasant weather condition.

“Among panawagan mao ang salary increase nga dugay na namong gipangandoy ug gikinahanglan. Dili mi mosugot sa 2016 implementation sama sa una na’ng tubag sa Malakanyang. Kinahanglan sunod tuig amo na ni’ng matagamtaman kay pait kaayo ang among kahimtang,” said Antonia Lim, ACT region 7 union president.

Teachers from as far as Bogo City together with those from the nearby cities of Mandaue and Talisay joined the public school teachers in Cebu City during the activity.

Lim said that House Bill 245 proposed by ACT Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio must be passed so that the teaching and non-teaching personnel in educational institutions can take home higher pay that is due their hard work.

“Layo na kaayo to’ng 2016 para sa implementation sa salary increase. Ang last nga increase adto pang 2009. Panahon pa ni kanhi presidente Gloria Arroyo. Wala pa gyud sa term ni PNoy,” Lim said.

The group expressed dismay over the statement from the Department of Budget and Management that the increase will be in 2016 based on its assessment.

Tinio’s ally at the Lower House, Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Neri Colmenares admitted that theirs is not an easy battle, saying teachers’ salary increase is not among the priority of the current administration.

But Colmenares assured Cebuano teachers that the Makabayan bloc as well as their allies in Congress will do everything to increase the salaries of educators.

Both Colmenares and Tinio are in Cebu to prepare for the People’s Initiative Congress and signature drive launch this Saturday. (FREEMAN)