Angara Supports P50,000 Proposed Starting Salary for Teachers

Education Secretary Sonny Angara has expressed his support for a proposed measure seeking to raise the entry-level salary of public school teachers to P50,000 per month. This was confirmed by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), which met with Angara earlier this week to discuss pressing issues in the education sector.

According to ACT chairman Vladimir Quetua, Angara’s response during their meeting on Monday was encouraging. 

"I don’t have a problem with that (the proposed P50,000 salary for teachers)," Angara's exact words as shared by Quetua in an interview. However, Angara clarified that as a member of the executive branch, he could not take the lead in pushing for the measure. He said, "Let us just help each other. I will propose it. I will help you with your call, but I will not primarily push for it," Quetua added.

The proposal to increase teachers’ pay comes as lawmakers from progressive groups move to address the long-standing clamor for higher compensation in the education sector. ACT party-list Representative Antonio Tinio and Kabataan party-list Representative Renee Louise Co recently filed a bill seeking to adjust the starting pay of teachers to P50,000 monthly, citing the need to uplift the welfare of educators and ensure quality education.

Teachers’ groups have long argued that raising salaries is crucial to attracting and retaining qualified educators, ultimately benefiting students and the country’s overall education system.

Angara’s statement of support, while measured, signals a potential boost for the initiative as it navigates the legislative process. Education advocates hope that with backing from both the executive and legislative branches, long-overdue reforms in teachers’ compensation will finally materialize.

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