ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro lashed at the Department of Budget and Management for scrimping on teachers’ salaries and denying their just call for a substantive salary increase.

Based on the reply of the DBM to the petition of 60,000 teachers for substantial pay hike submitted to Malacanang in November last year, the agency still has to conduct a compensation study this year, according to Castro.

However, the solon said it appeared the department isn’t in favor of the salary increase despite the current inflation in the country.

“Habang itinutulak nila na bigyan ng VAT-exemption ang mga dayuhang turista ay todo naman sila sa pambabarat sa mga guro na tinatambakan nila ng trabaho lalo pa at magkakaroon na naman ng barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan election ngayong taon,” Castro said.

“Sinasabi pa nila na magkakaroon daw ng salary distortion kapag itinaas ang sahod ng mga guro pero bakit nung dinoble ang sahod ng mga pulis at sundalo ay di naman nila ito sinabi. Halatang ayaw nilang itaas ang sahod ng mga guro at kung anu-anong palusot ang sinasabi,” she added.
The solon called the administration as anti-teacher and urged them to reverse the impression by substantially increasing the salaries of teachers.

“Nagpapakahirap ang mga guro sa pagtuturo ng ating mga anak at nagsisilbi pa sa eleksyon marapat lang ng suklian ng administrasyong Marcos ang pagpapagal na ito ng mas mataas na sahod,” Castro stressed.