Palace lukewarm to P30,000 basic salary for teachers

MANILA, Philippines―A Malacañang spokesperson on Tuesday said the proposal to raise to P30,000 the basic monthly salary of public school teachers still requires further study as it will have big implications in the nation’s financial system.

“Batid din natin na malaki ang magiging implikasyon nito sa pananalapi at kinakailangang suriin kung paano ito mapopondohan o matutustusan. Kaya hinahanapan po ng mainam na pagtugon sa kanilang mga pangangailangan at ito po ay pinag-aaralan ng iba’t ibang ahensiya ng ating pamahalaan, lalong-lalo na ng Department of Education at ng Department of Budget and Management,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told reporters.

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([The P30,000 basic salary for teachers] will have a big implication in the nation’s financial system. We have to study how to finance it, especially by the Department of Education and the Department of Budget and Management.)

Despite the lukewarm response, Coloma said the administration of President Benigno Aquino III valued teachers as “important pillars” who “shape the minds and character of the youth.”

“Siyempre po isinasaalang-alang natin ang kapakanan ng mga guro. Sila ay napakahalagang haligi ng ating bansa sapagkat sila ang humuhubog sa kaisipan at karakter ng ating mga estudyante at kabataan,” Coloma added.

(We are considering the welfare of our teachers. They are important pillars in our country because they shape the minds and character of our students and the youth.)

The proposal to raise the basic salary of elementary and secondary public school teachers was made by Quezon City second district Representative Winston “Winnie” Castelo through House Bill No. 5188. The bill is pending in the House committee on appropriations.

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