Teachers seek ₱15,000 pay hike, call on gov’t to reallocate funds

September 11 — The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) has reiterated its call for a significant salary increase for public school teachers, urging the government to reconsider how it allocates national funds.

The Proposal

According to TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas, a P15,000 raise for each of the country’s one million Department of Education (DepEd) personnel would require around P210 billion. He emphasized that the amount is well within the government’s financial capacity.

Basas compared the proposed allocation with the P346 billion budgeted for flood control projects in 2025, which he claimed has long been susceptible to questionable practices.

"Feasible if Willed"

“The salary increase we’re demanding for teachers is entirely feasible if the government truly wills it,” Basas said in Filipino, stressing that the hike is not an excessive demand but a realistic adjustment.

He further noted that the proposed funding for teachers’ pay hike is considerably smaller than the budget earmarked for flood control. “Many of those projects are prone to anomalies,” he added.

Broader Push

The coalition insists that prioritizing educators’ welfare is essential, pointing out that teachers have long carried heavy workloads while receiving modest compensation. The group’s demand aligns with long-standing calls from education advocates who argue that investing in teachers directly improves the quality of public education.

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