THE Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) will launch its National Teachers’ Month campaign on Monday with a lobbying effort at the House of Representatives, urging lawmakers to approve measures that would raise teachers’ salaries, improve benefits, and increase funding for education.

The activity comes as the House Committee on Appropriations deliberates on the Department of Education’s proposed 2027 national budget.

ACT said teachers, education support personnel, and education students will visit legislators to push for key education reforms, including a P50,000 entry-level salary for public and private school teachers, as well as teaching personnel in state and local universities and colleges.

The group is also calling for an increase in the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA) for government employees to at least P5,000, the allocation of 6% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to education, and the reduction of the optional retirement age for government workers to 56.

In addition, ACT is seeking the passage of the proposed Teacher Protection Act, which aims to institutionalize support mechanisms and legal protection for public school teachers and personnel in matters involving student discipline and classroom management.

The “Grand Lobbying for Salary Increase, Improved Benefits, and Higher Education Budget” is scheduled for 1 p.m. on September 7 at the House of Representatives.