On National Teachers’ Month, Hontiveros pushes for P15,000 wage hike, medical discounts, pension protection for teachers

Senator Risa Hontiveros joined the commemoration of National Teachers’ Month by stressing the need for a P15,000 across-the-board monthly wage hike for public school teachers and employees, in addition to medical discounts and other benefits, and the protection of their pension contributions.

Hontiveros is pushing for the passage of her Dagdag Sahod for Public Basic Education Teachers and Employees Act (Senate Bill No. 211) and her Healthy Buhay at Hanapbuhay Para sa Guro Act (Senate Bill No. 575) to increase salaries and benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel.

“Ang mga guro natin, araw-araw nagbubuhos ng oras, pagod, at pagmamahal para sa ating kabataan. Kaya bilang pasasalamat sa kanila, gusto kong mabigyan sila ng umento sa sahod para naman mas guminhawa ang buhay nila,” Hontiveros said.

Under Senate Bill No. 211, all public school teachers and personnel will receive a P15,000 salary increase to be given in three tranches, starting with a P6,000 hike in the first year, followed by P5,000, and finally P4,000.

In addition to proposing a salary increase, Hontiveros also filed Senate Bill No. 575 that would grant all teachers a 10% discount and VAT exemption on medicines and other essential health products, along with other health benefits.

“Alam kong marami sa ating mga guro ang sumasakit ang katawan at nagkakasakit dahil sa dami ng kanilang trabaho. Kaya gusto kong masigurong mas abot-kaya ang gamot at may sapat na suporta para sa kanilang kalusugan,” Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros’ bill will also provide for teachers’ health centers, special wards in DOH hospitals, government-paid PhilHealth contributions, medical assistance from DOH, DSWD, and DepEd, as well as five days of annual mental health and wellness leave.

Hontiveros also expressed her worry over the integrity of public school teachers’ pensions, saying that it is crucial that they be assured a comfortable future when they retire from government service.

“Nakikiisa ako sa panawagan ng mga public school teachers at iba pang kawani ng gobyerno na protektahan ang kanilang pinaghirapang pensyon at savings. Gusto kong mabigyan sila ng kapanatagan na kapag magretiro sila, mayroon pa rin silang matatanggap,” Hontiveros said.

She continued, “Sa pagbibigay umento sa kanilang sahod, pagdadagdag ng kanilang benepisyo, at pagbabantay sa kanilang pensyon, maipapakita natin na ang mga guro natin ay pinapahalagahan, hindi lang tuwing Teachers’ Day, kundi everyday.”