Teachers' Groups Express Disappointment Over Lack of Salary Hike Mention in SONA

MANILA, Philippines – Groups representing teachers in the Philippines have voiced criticism after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) failed to include key measures addressing the education sector, particularly plans for a salary increase for educators. While the President delivered his longest SONA to date, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) and the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) stated that his remarks on teachers' welfare and the education sector were insufficient. The two teachers' groups have distinct salary demands. ACT is pushing for P50,000 for entry-level teachers, while TDC advocates for a P15,000 increase across the board. "There was only recognition of the integrity and heroism of teachers, but more than that, teachers need a wage hike and an increase in our personnel economic relief allowance (PERA)," ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo told Rappler. She argued that while public school teachers and police have similar entry-level monthly salaries of over P30,000, the police's subsistence allowance pushes their take-home pay closer to P50,000. Nurse I positions have also been upgraded to around P42,000 monthly, with additional allowances. TDC national chairperson Benjo Basas also stated that boosting teachers' pay and welfare would lead to better work-life balance and improved mental and physical health, thereby enhancing productivity. "Teachers would not wait and scramble for the few promotion opportunities that the President mentioned in his SONA," Basas told Rappler. Marcos reported that over 80,000 teachers and school heads have been promoted through the Department of Education's (DepEd) Expanded Career Progression System. The country has nearly 900,000 teachers. The President also mentioned the government's continued provision of gadgets like smart TVs, laptops, tablets, and lapel microphones, as well as free mobile data, to teachers. However, both TDC and ACT noted that many teachers have yet to receive laptops. Basas believes Marcos should apologize for his promise in last year's SONA that every teacher would receive one. "It says a lot about credibility, accountability of the government. If you make a promise, there's no escaping that because there are receipts, but you did not deliver on that promise," he said. Bernardo also pointed out that Marcos failed to mention the reduction of teachers' administrative tasks, leaving it unclear whether they would still be responsible for carrying out the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning (ARAL) Program. The ARAL Program has been allocated nearly P9 billion in the 2026 budget. The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) had hoped Marcos' SONA would include measures to improve the ARAL Program's implementation and concrete reductions in teachers' administrative workload. EDCOM 2 also anticipated pronouncements on critical education issues such as rising stunting rates and the modernization of charters for DepEd, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. In contrast, Marcos highlighted plans to build around 16,000 classrooms in 2026 through public-private partnerships and efforts to address violence and bullying in schools. He also announced that the DepEd is set to hire 10,000 school counselor associates to expand access to mental health services. Philippine Business for Education, an advocacy group, described the policy direction outlined in the SONA as "encouraging," but emphasized that "the challenge now lies in implementation." "The issue has rarely been a lack of policies or plans, but ensuring that these are executed effectively and translated into better learning outcomes. This is where sustained focus and accountability will matter most," the group stated. In an interview ahead of the SONA, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said he expected the education sector to get a 2027 budget of over P1 trillion, or the same as in 2026. – Rappler.com