Teachers to Cebu solons: Help pass House Bill 245

CEBU, Philippines - Several public school teachers in Cebu who are members of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers-Region 7 Union are calling for the support of Cebuano congressmen in the immediate passage of the proposed House Bill 245.

"Nanawagan mi nga ang mga kongresista sa Cebu mosuporta sa pagpasar sa among proposed House Bill. One of these days, we will seek audience sa atong mga kongresista," said union president Antonia Lim.

Over a hundred union members yesterday held a "Walk for Salary Hike" from Abellana National High School to Fuente Osmeña Circle.

House Bill No. 245 aims to increase the minimum monthly salaries of teachers and non-teaching personnel in public elementary and secondary schools.

The union is particularly calling for the support of Cebu third district Representative Gwendolyn Garcia and fourth district Representative Benhur Salimbangon.

Bernabe Simbajon, vice president of the teacher's union, said it is very obvious that President Benigno Aquino III is not mindful of the plight of the public school teachers.

"Wa siya’y pagpakabana sa mga magtutudlo labi na sa economic aspect namo. Nagpadayon siya nga nagpakabuta-bungol. Wa siya magtagad sa among kahimtang," said Simbajon.

According to Simbajon, the last time they received a salary hike was way back in 2009 during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who approved a P6,000 per month salary hike, which was implemented in a staggered basis for four years or P1,500 per month.

ACT has been calling for a salary hike of P6,451 per month for teachers and non-teaching personnel, which is embodied under the proposed measure, HB 245  filed by ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio.          

HB 245 stated that the salaries of public school teachers do not compare favorably with other occupations in government, neither does the teacher's pay compare favorably with those private employees such as call center agents.

ACT-Region 7 has more than 6,500 union members, around 1,500 of whom are in Cebu City. Majority of its members are in Cebu Province. —(FREEMAN)