ANG Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Alfred delos Santos filed a measure that seeks to upgrade the salary grade level of public school teachers.

House Bill 9157 or the proposed Salary Increase of Public School Teachers Act of 2023 will raise the pay of public school teachers from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15.

Delos Santos said that public school teachers are underpaid.

“Despite having a crucial role in molding the minds and in shaping the future of our nation’s youth, they only receive a small compensation that is not at all commensurate to the value of their contribution in our country,” he said.

The lawmaker said that starting 2023, upon the effectivity of the fourth tranche under the Salary Standardization Law, teachers with the position of Teacher I only receive P27,000 or Salary Grade 11 per month.

“This, in many instances, pushes some educators to pursue other sources of money to cover for other expenses. Worse, many of them pursue better working opportunities abroad,” he added.