TO RECOGNIZE the service of teachers this Christmas season, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers is calling for the one-time full payment of P20,000 Service Recognition Incentive for Department of Education personnel.

ACT made the call after DepEd announced that its employees will receive P15,000 SRI instead of P20,000 stated on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’ Administrative Order No.1.

“Dehado na nga ang mga guro sa suweldo, dehado pa rin sa benepisyo. Napag-iwanan na ng ibang propesyon ang sahod namin, kulang pa ang matatanggap naming SRI. Taon-taon na lamang, kung hindi huli, ay kulang o hulugan ang pagbibigay ng SRI sa mga guro. Nasaan na ang prinsipyo ng pagbibigay ng pantay at patas na benepisyo sa mga kawani ng pamahalaan?” Vladimer Quetua, the group’s chairperson, said.

Quetua asserted that the national government should ensure that teachers receive their benefits in full and on time in recognition of their valuable service to the youth and children.

“Sa tindi ng hirap na sinuong ng mga guro para makabalik sa face-to-face classes ang ating mga estudyante, sa kabila ng kawalan ng sapat na suporta at paghahanda ng pamahalaan, pa-consuelo na lamang sana mabigyan sila ng buong P20,000 SRI bago mag-Pasko,” he added.

The group also called on President Marcos to show his care for teachers by directing the Department of Budget and Management to release additional funds to augment the SRI of DepEd personnel.