Duterte assures teachers on pay hike: ‘We are working on it’

PAY HIKE DEMAND Public elementary school teachers call for a nationwide increase of salaries in Manila during a protest action last November. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — On Independence Day, President Rodrigo Duterte assured public school teachers that the administration is “working on” increasing their salaries.

“We are working on it,” Duterte said in a speech during the oath taking of newly elected local government officials of Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday, June 12.

He then explained why he prioritized raising the salaries of policemen and soldiers.

“There are millions of teachers. There are fewer police. Maybe you’re interested to know why I prioritize them,” he said.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier urged public school teachers in the country to be patient as the President has ordered his economic managers to look for funding for their salary increase.

READ: Palace to teachers on wage hike: Be patient

Duterte had earlier promised that that after the military and the police, teachers are next in line for a salary increase. But a wage increase for teachers has yet to be seen three years after he assumed the presidency.

READ: Duterte vows to raise salary of teachers this 2019

Panelo said Duterte “has not been reneging on his commitment.” (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)