Cebu teachers to join protest vs salary scheme

CEBU, Philippines – Public school teachers in Cebu will join in a noise barrage today in line with a nationwide mass action to protest the proposed Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 2015.

Anabelle dela Cerna, Teachers' Dignity Coalition vice chairwoman for the Visayas, said the noise barrage will be participated in by different schools with TDC members in Cebu, Mandaue and Toledo cities, as well as schools in Cebu Province.

She assured that classes won't be disrupted, as the activity will be undertaken by midday.

"We will ring school bells at 12 noon to show our dismay over the meager increase," Dela Cerna told The Freeman.

In Cebu City, the noise barrage will be held in Mabolo National High School, San Nicolas Elementary School, and Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School.

The TDC members decided to stage the noise barrage "to have a wider scope and participation in our protest."

The teachers want to push for higher salary and denounce the salary scheme proposed by the Aquino administration.

"Gusto namin na maging malawakan at ma-inform ang mga tao sa aming sentiment on salary increase especially for those who are in the lower salary grade," Dela Cerna said.

"The Aquino administration continues to make the life of teachers miserable. Instead of rectifying the erroneous salary grade given to teachers…" she added.

Aquino is pushing for the passage of the salary hike plan for government employees, including both teaching and non-teaching personnel at the Department of Education (DepEd).

The four-year P226-billion Salary Standardization Law (SSL) of 2015 seeks to increase the basic monthly salaries of 1.53 million state workers and military personnel on the average by 27 percent, while the 14th month pay will be raised by eight percent. The enhanced PBB is equivalent to one to two months' salary or an average of 10 percent increase in salary. —/JMO (FREEMAN)