ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro urged the government to prioritize the upgrade of teachers’ salaries, following the signing into law of the Teaching Supplies Allowance Bill.

“The signing into law of the Teaching Supplies Allowance bill is a welcome development, but it is only a first step. The next logical step is to increase the salaries of our teachers, who have been left behind for far too long,” Castro said.

Castro lamented that the salaries of teachers have been almost stagnant for years, while the salaries of top government officials, such as those in the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, have ballooned to obscene levels.

“It is unacceptable that BSP executives enjoy lavish salaries, while our teachers are forced to live on a meager salary that is way below the poverty line. It’s time for the government to prioritize the welfare of our teachers, who are the backbone of our education system,” Castro added.

The solon reiterated her call to upgrade teachers’ basic salaries to P50,000 entry-level pay in both public and private; P33,000 for salary grade 1 employees, SG16 for instructor 1 in state universities and colleges, and P33,000 national minimum wage.

“The government cannot continue to neglect the welfare of our teachers. It’s time for a significant salary increase for teachers and other public sector employees. We owe it to them to provide a decent salary that reflects their value to society,” she added.