BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – A local teacher’s group expressed dismay that the salary increase being pushed by public school teachers nationwide was not included in the 2023 national budget.
In a radio interview on Friday, Dec. 2, Bacolod City Public School Teachers Federation Association president Richard Gelangre said officials of the national government seem more focused on raising taxes.
According to Gelangre, public school teachers feel they are living below the poverty line due to the rising cost of commodities as well as the low pay they are receiving.
Gelangre said they are awaiting a response from Department of Education (DepEd) undersecretary Michael Poa, who revealed that there will be a “non-monetary” increase for public school teachers.
He also did not discount the possibility that public school teachers may call for a nationwide strike if their demand for a salary increase is not met next year./PN
