INCREASING the salary of public school teachers is the priority of Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in the 19th Congress.

The senator filed several education-related measures but he said that the bill that seeks to raise the pay of teachers is crucial.

“Kasabay ng mga kailangang pagbabago upang mapahusay natin ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa ay ang pagtaas ng sahod ng ating mga guro upang maitaas natin ang kanilang moral at itaguyod ang dignidad ng kanilang hanay,” Gatchalian said.

In his proposed Teacher Salary Increase Act, the chairman of the Senate Basic Education, Arts and Culture committee seeks to adjust the salary grades of Teachers I, II, and III one grade higher.

The senator also pushed the mandatory registration of all subscriber identity module cards and a proposed law to provide better protection to consumers and merchants engaged in internet transactions, as well as pieces of legislation for a more sustainable power sector and a more efficient waste management system.

Gatchalian introduced a resolution to review the implementation of the K to 12 Law and identify issues and challenges as well as recommend strategic solutions.

Alongside these are proposals aimed at realizing education recovery with the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program Act which will focus on the most essential learning competencies in Language, Mathematics and Science.

Another education priority bill — the 21st Century School Boards Act — will strengthen local governments’ involvement in improving the delivery and quality of education by broadening the responsibilities of the local school boards and expanding the use of the Special Education Fund.