AKLAN First District Rep. Carlito Marquez has introduced a measure aimed at upgrading the salary grades of public school teachers to Salary Grade 15 and higher education teaching personnel to Salary Grade 16.

In House Bill 10137, Marquez pointed out that current conditions do not align with the constitutional mandate concerning the status of public school educators.

“Serving as the cornerstone of the Philippine educational framework, teachers play a vital role in enriching and nurturing the learning experiences of Filipino youth,” Marquez stated in his explanatory note.

While he acknowledged the government’s efforts to alleviate administrative burdens on public school teachers, Marquez emphasized that inadequate compensation remains a significant barrier to delivering quality education and pursuing professional growth.

Consequently, Marquez noted, many teachers may consider seeking career opportunities abroad.

He explained that current pay rates fall short of providing a sustainable or decent standard of living for public school teachers who are dedicated to the development of Filipino youth.

“Recognizing education as a cornerstone of national growth and a vital investment, it is imperative to reevaluate and elevate the minimum salary of our teaching personnel and instructors,” Marquez stressed.