Drilon upbeat on teachers’ pay hike approval in 18th Congress

MANILA, Philippines – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon is confident that the proposed salary increase for public school teachers will finally get the approval in the 18th Congress.

In a statement on Monday, Drilon expressed optimism that the increase in the salaries of public school teachers will finally make it through 18th Congress, citing a growing bipartisan support for the measure.

Drilon is among the senators who have filed bills seeking to increase public school teachers’ salary, alongside senators Francis Pangilinan, Nancy Binay, Sherwin Gatchalian and Sonny Angara.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is also set to file a bill on Monday aimed at increasing the salary of public school teachers.

READ: Gatchalian seeks to raise public school teacher pay to up to P30K 

READ: Senators in 18th Congress start filing pet bills 

“We should provide teachers with the right incentives to encourage them to remain in the noblest profession of educating and molding our youth to become productive citizens of the country,” Drilon said.

Drilon stressed that while the education sector receives the largest share in the national budget, the monthly pay of teachers remain  “lower compared to salaries received by other professionals.”

Pay hike and nation building

“This bill hopes to invigorate our teachers as they help build the nation, one student, one classroom at a time,” Drilon said.

“The proposed bill is geared towards improving the performance of our educators, thereby resulting to a better quality of education, and ultimately, a better Philippines,” he added.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri has vowed that the Senate of the 18th Congress will prioritize measures seeking to increase salaries of public school teachers. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)

READ: Senate to prioritize teacher pay hike in 18th Congress — Zubiri