A TEACHERS’ group called on the government to suspend the implementation of the Philhealth premium increase and instead upgrade the pay of teachers.

“It is best that the implementation of the Philhealth premium increase to four percent be suspended immediately and the whole premium hike plan be reviewed altogether as it is already too much a burden to our workers and teachers, especially as the country still grapples with the worst economic crisis under the pandemic and the surging oil prices and runaway inflation,” Raymond Basilio, secretary general of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, said.

With the plan to retroactively implement the premium hike from 3 percent to 4 percent by June 2022, monthly Philhealth contributions of entry-level teachers will increase from P381.58 to P508.78. The premium difference from January to May will also be collected.

“If implemented the premium hike will take away more of our take-home pay, instead of giving us additional resources for our needs and that of our families. Marami sa ating mga guro ay P5,000 na lamang ang buwanang take-home pay dahil sa pagkalubog sa utang. Ano pa ang matitirang panggastos ng pamilya lalupa’t tumaas na rin ang singil sa kuryente, presyo ng LPG at bilihin?” Basilio asked.

“Mas mahusay kung magpatupad muna ng makabuluhang dagdag-suweldo para sa mga guro at mamamayan at saka pag-usapan ang pagtataas ng singil ng Philhealth. Mas mainam din na magbayad muna ang gobyerno ng mga utang nito sa kaguruan gaya ng overtime pay sa 77 labis na araw ng pagpapatrabaho noong School Year 2020-2021 at ang karagdagang honorarium sa mga nag-overtime noon sa pagsisilbi sa eleksiyon. Sa halip kasi na makatulong ay lalo siyang nakakapagpahirap sa mga guro at manggagawa,” he added.

Basilio said that the entry level for teachers in public schools is Salary Grade 11 or  P25,439 per month which is lower than the monthly family cost of living of  P32,600.

“Masakit sa dibdib ng mga guro at mamamayan ang kaltasan ng napakalaki buwan-buwan samantalang hindi naman buong mapakinabangan ang  hulog dahil hindi libre ang pagpapagamot kapag nagkasakit, samantala, mababalitaan naman na kung saan-saan naman nilalaspag ng gobyerno ang aming kontribusyon,” Basilio said.

“As it is the Duterte administration as well as the incoming one should focus their efforts on how to roll out a significant wage hike for teachers before even implementing an increase in Philhealth premiums, because the planned premium increase is another burden to their almost broken backs,” he added.