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By JIGGER J. JERUSALEM
Correspondent .

ORGANIZED teachers here reiterated their call for the Duterte administration to give them a raise.

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“We hope that the government would finally realize that [the] teaching profession is naturally service-oriented. This would put our call for a substantial increase in the proper context,” said Ophelia Tabacon, regional chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers in northern Mindanao in time for  National Teachers’ Day today.

In a statement, Tabacon said a P2,000-increase is not enough as they demand for a monthly P30,000 entry-level pay for teachers.

Tabacon said President Duterte’s promised to raise the teachers’ pay, and during his 4th State of the Nation Address, he urged Congress to pass a new Salary Standardization Law that would implement the increase of government employees, including public school teachers.

“Fulfill the promise,” she said. “It has been four years now, the military has already enjoyed their doubled salary but the teachers are still coping with the meager income which is not even enough for a family of four.”

She said teachers want a entry-level salary of P30,000, P31,000 for those in state universities and colleges professors, and P16,000 for all government employees.

“This could be substantial salary for the rising basic commodities brought about by Train law. The 20,754 cannot suffice the family needs of the teachers especially that teaching materials and school facilities are taken out from his or her own pocket,” she said.

Teachers are one of the lowest-paid professionals in the country. Teachers are always clamoring for a salary increase, an equitable, decent and living wage and better working condition, Tabacon said.

“But what they did was keeping on red-tagging us, accusing leaders to be supporters of [New People’s Army]. This might put all ACT leaders’ life in danger and the whole organization as well,” she said.

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