The Alliance of Concerned Teachers will hold a march and rally on Monday, June 9, 2008, to demand higher salaries amid the worsening economic situation in the country.

Hundreds of public school teachers from all over Metro Manila will participate in the protest. The teachers will gather in front of the University of Sto . Tomas along España in Manila at 10 a.m., then march to Mendiola, where they will hold a short program. In a show of solidarity, the teachers will all wear white t-shirts bearing the slogan “Upgrade teachers’ salaries now!”

ACT chairperson Antonio Tinio pointed out that the rally seeks to highlight the teachers’ long-standing demand for a higher salary, which has become more urgent in view of the current economic crisis marked by skyrocketing food and fuel prices. “Teachers earn P10,933 monthly. After the standard deductions they take home around P8,000. This means that they are now officially among the ranks of the poor.” He cited the latest findings of the National Statistics Coordination Board, which pegged the poverty threshold for a family of five living in the National Capital Region at P10,000. The estimated income threshold only covers basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Spending for recreation and emergencies are not included.

“How can we attain quality education if our public school teachers are paid salaries that barely keep them above the poverty line? This is forcing more and more public school teachers, especially those with more experience and better qualifications, to work abroad,” said Tinio.

ACT called on Malacañang to work with Congress for the urgent passage of legislation to upgrade the salaries of public school teachers.

Tinio noted that ACT is working closely with the Senate’s Education Committee, headed by Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano, for the passage of a so-called “salary upgrading” bill that will raise the salaries of teachers from the current Salary Grade 10 (P10,933/month) to Salary Grade 20 (P19,579). The bill is being finalized for plenary discussion in the Senate.

“Right now, call center agents earn more than public school teachers. Raising our salaries to the Salary Grade 20 level is necessary to preserve the dignity of the teaching profession and bring it closer to today’s cost of living,” said ACT secretary-general Francisca Castro.

She added that the 10% salary increase to be received by all government employees starting in July won’t provide the needed economic relief for teachers. She noted that the latest data from the National Wages and Productivity Commission shows that the living wage for a family of six in NCR as of April 2008 now stands at P871/day. “That’s P19,162 per month, or P8,229 more than the current salaries of teachers. A mere 10% increase will hardly make a dent on that deficit.” #