President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, said he is open to forging a deal aimed at raising teachers’ pay this year similar to the adjustment he gave to the members of the country’s security forces.
In a speech, the President said he spoke with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno about the country’s finances to know if the government could afford raising teachers’ salaries.
The Chief Executive explained that he prioritized increasing the pay of military and police personnel after anticipating attacks from Islamist militants in Mindanao.
He told the teachers gathered in the event that he can accommodate their representatives in Malacañan for talks on adjusting their pay.
” I am willing to strike a deal in the presence of Secretary Briones sa mga maestra. You can choose the date, January, bilisan lang ninyo then we can make an agreement or manifesto or choose whatever kind of document itself. Kayo ang isusunod ko this year,” he told the teachers.
In his message for the groundbreaking of a new high school building, the President said, “I am glad to join you today as we break ground on two secondary school facilities that will soon rise here in the Province of Bulacan.”
“Once completed, these buildings will serve as a testament to our commitment to invest in the potential of our youth. These structures will promote their well-being, nurture their dreams, and become a breeding ground for future leaders of our country, ” he added.
He further cited that education is the most valuable gift that the present administration can leave behind to the succeeding generations of Filipinos.
“This is why I have been firm in my stand that no Filipino youth should ever be denied access to high-quality education, whatever circumstances they may be in,” the President underscored.
The construction of the new secondary school will decongest other high schools in other parts of Bulakan and at the same time reduce the financial burden of parents who send their children to other schools far from their area of residence.
The project, with an allocation of P161.4 million, will be built in a 6,676 sq.m. area. DepEd has allocated the money for the fiscal year 2018.
Under the project, to be implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), two four-storey unit buildings (24 classrooms each) as well as a one four-storey unit building (12 classrooms) will be built. (PCOO)
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