CEBU, Philippines - The Alliance of Concerned Teachers Cebu has called on the government anew to increase the basic salary of public elementary and high school teachers, as well as non-teaching personnel.
The group is dissatisfied by the decision of government to increase the salary by P2,205 to be given in four years or an increase of P550 per year.
ACT-7 union president Antonia Lim described the same as an insult to teachers.
“Okay na lang unta to namo nga P2,205 per month pero ang gusto sa gobiyerno nga i-staggered man nila sulod sa upat ka tuig,” Lim said.
“Ang plete pa lang daan sa habal-habal kay P10 na kung duol ra ang biyahi-an sa usa ka maestra nga tua a bukid. Unya back and forth kay P20 na,” said Bernabe Sabejon, ACT-Cebu union vice president.
“Dismayado kaayo mi sa gobiyerno nga kana ra gyud ang ilang mahatag sa mga magtutudlo,” Sabejon said.
Sabejon said it is obvious that President Benigno Aquino III is not mindful of the plight of the public school teachers.
The last time that public school teachers received a salary hike was in 2009 during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
During the time of Arroyo, a salary hike of P6,000 was implemented in a staggered basis for four years.
“Ang administrasyong Aquino, sulod sa lima ug tunga na ka tuig, wa gyud mi increase,” he said.
ACT has been calling for a salary hike of P6,451 for teachers and non-teaching personnel. The group has at least 7,000 union members, around 1,500 of whom are in Cebu City. (FREEMAN)