Lawmaker urges Aquino to address teachers’ low pay

MANILA, Philippines—Alliance of Concerned Teachers partylist Representative Antonio Tinio said credit should be given to President Benigno Aquino III for his commitment to address the shortages of classrooms, books and chairs.

Aquino made the pledge in his third State of the Nation Address Monday.

In an interview with anchors Susan K, Den Macaranas and Captain Dylan Halili of “Good Morning Inquirer” on Radio Inquirer 990AM, Tinio said, however, Aquino failed to mention how will Malacañang deal with human rights and workers’ rights issues.

Tinio said there has been deployment of professionals working under a contractual basis in a “massive scale.”

Under the present administration, Tinio said contractual kindergarten teachers receive only P3,000 to 6,000, while contractual mobile teachers under the Education department’s alternative learning system receive P5,000 monthly, different from their “normal” starting pay that is P18,500.

For the full interview, listen to Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.