Senatorial candidate Jejomar Binay on Thursday promised if elected, he will push for an increase in the salaries and benefits of public school teachers.
Binay, who is running under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), said “Our teachers have long been asking for a pay increase, and it is high time that we make this a reality.”
The former vice president said he will move to increase the starting pay of teachers from P25,439.00, or salary grade 11, to P35,097.00, or salary grade 15.
Aside from a salary increase, Binay said he will pursue legislation increasing teachers’ allowance for instructional materials, providing study grants and scholarships for their children, and tax exemptions for additional benefits.
“We will also study how we can give them study leaves with pay regularly, to enable them to upgrade their knowledge and teaching skills,” he said.
These measures, according to Binay, would help improve the quality of education and would also prevent the exodus of teachers for jobs abroad.
“Our teachers should be mentoring future leaders and achievers, and not toiling in foreign lands far from their families,” he said.
Binay noted that many teachers have even opted to work as nannies or domestic helpers abroad.
“This should not be the case. We should work to recognize the dignity of our teachers and the teaching profession,” he said.
“We need to recognize and honor their sacrifices by making sure they get the compensation and benefits they deserve,” he added.