Makati earmarks P117M for unpaid teachers’ allowances in last 18 years

MANILA — Along with the start of the campaign period for the local elections, the Makati City government has announced that the first batch of teachers in the city will be receiving their allowances, which were unpaid for the last 18 years.

Makati Mayor Romulo “Kid” Peña said in a statement on Tuesday that Makati teachers and non-teaching personnel would enjoy the long-awaited allowances, which they have been entitled to since 1998.

“I am truly glad that the first batch of teachers and non-teaching staff can now receive their back allowances from 1998 to 2014,” Peña said. “I also thank the Makati City School Board for supporting this initiative and issuing Resolution No. 1, Series of 2016 that approves the supplemental budget of P117,000,000 for the back allowances.

He said that the first 88 personnel identified to receive their allowances were from Bangkal Elementary School, Makati Pre-School Division and Nicanor Garcia Elementary School. The highest amount expected to be received by these teachers is around P100,000 while the lowest is P6,000.

Last month, Peña announced that he would grant P117 million for the teachers’ allowances, which was not granted to the educators from 1998 to 2014 when the Binays still dominated the politics in Makati.

When former Makati City Mayor Junjun Binay stepped down from office in July last year, Peña took over. The latter is also running against Junjun’s sister, Makati District 2 Rep. Abby Binay for mayor.

Peña earlier said the allowance was part of the P499.4-million supplemental budget, which has also been allotted for the purchase of school supplies and improvement of school buildings.

He explained that the allowances would be released to schools that have complied with documentary requirements early.

Peña said a lot of teachers have already thanked him for “hearing their voice and advocating for the passage of the resolution.”

“They have been clamoring for the grant of their allowances from the time of the previous administration,” he added.  SFM