THERE is a chance that the promised salary hike for teachers will push through, a Palace official said.

“I’m sure mayroon ding pagtaas ng suweldo sa mga guro natin. Mahal ni Tatay Digong ang ating mga guro,” acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said.

Andanar said he will ask Education Secretary Leonor Briones for an update on the plan to raise the pay of teachers.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has proposed to raise the pay of a Teacher I either to Salary Grades 13 or 14 (P29,798 or P32,321) from Salary Grade 11 (P25,439).

If the pay is raised to Salary Grade 13 under the third tranche of the Salary Standardization Law V, the government will need an additional P58.6 billion to compensate teachers.

If it is adjusted to Salary Grade 14, P92.1 billion will be needed to cover the wage increase.