Akbayan Representative Chel Diokno is pushing for a ₱15,000 monthly salary increase for public school teachers and education workers through a measure that seeks to improve pay across the country’s public basic education system.
Diokno, together with Akbayan Representatives Perci Cendaña and Dadah Ismula and Dinagat Islands Representative Kaka Bag-ao, filed House Bill No. 7649, also known as the “Dagdag Sahod for Public Basic Education Teachers and Employees Act.” The proposal seeks to provide an across-the-board increase in the basic monthly salary of teachers and employees directly engaged in delivering public basic education services.
Diokno brought renewed attention to the measure through a social media post highlighting the financial burden many educators continue to carry while performing their duties.
“Dagdag sahod ang kailangan, hindi dagdag abono sa pagkukumponi ng paaralan,” Diokno said.
The bill’s explanatory note states that teachers remain at the center of the country’s education system and play a key role in nation-building. Despite this, the measure notes that many educators continue to struggle with rising living costs and salaries that no longer reflect the demands of their work. It also cites cases of teachers taking on part-time jobs to supplement their income, while others pursue higher-paying opportunities elsewhere.
Under the proposal, the ₱15,000 increase would be implemented in three tranches. Qualified personnel would receive ₱6,000 in the first year, ₱5,000 in the second year, and ₱4,000 in the third year following the measure’s enactment. The bill further provides that the increase would be granted on top of existing salary standardization adjustments and would not affect future salary increases for government employees.
The measure cites the Constitution’s directive to give education the highest budgetary priority and ensure adequate remuneration for teachers. If enacted, funding would be sourced through future General Appropriations Acts, while implementing rules would be drafted by the Department of Budget and Management in consultation with the DepEd and teachers’ organizations.
