MANILA – Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte did not forget his campaign promise to increase the salary of public school teachers but it was easier said than done.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte ordered his economic managers to find ways on how to fund the salary increase for some 800,000 public school teachers.
“Well, easier said than done. Because even if you issue an executive order if there is no funding source, baka lalong may problema tayo. So, we’ll have to get some funding first,” Panelo said.
“The President is working on that. And hopefully that can be responded to. Our economic managers are doing everything to see how things can be done,” he added.
Public school teachers took the streets on Monday saying the minimum monthly salary of teachers should be raised to P30,000 from the current P20,000.
According to them, the fourth and last tranche of the salary increase – pursuant to an executive order released by the administration of former president Benigno Aquino III – was not enough for the daily life.
“The President is not reneging on his commitment. But as you all know, there had been many things that occurred during that three year term and the President had to increase the salaries of the soldiers as well as the Philippine National Police as he ably explained these are the front liners in securing our country and when they go out of their homes half of their feet are already buried on the ground,” the palace official said.
“But you must remember that the mother of the President was a teacher and so his heart is with the teachers,” added Panelo. /PN
