MANILA — The Marcos Jr. administration has vowed to increase salaries and other benefits for public school teachers during the culminating event of National Teachers’ Day held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.

In his speech, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that supporting teachers is one of the key priorities of his administration.

"We are committed to ensuring that you have ample resources to teach, whether by additional materials and reducing non-teaching responsibilities," he said.

"In line with that commitment we have implemented several measures that will transform the lives of our 860,000 public school teachers," he added.

Among these measures is the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which will increase the annual teaching allowance for teachers from ₱5,000 to ₱10,000 tax-free, starting in the school year 2025 and a medical allowance of ₱7,000 starting fiscal year 2025.

The President also signed the implementing rules and regulations of Executive Order No. 174, aimed at professional development and career advancement, ensuring that no teacher will retire at the Teacher 1 level.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez also reaffirmed Congress’ promise to improve the welfare of teachers.

"Kinonsulta ko 'yung chairman ng Appropriations ng House, at sisiguraduhin nating magdadagdag tayo ng mga classroom building at mga laptop at computers...Kabilang dito ang mas mataas na sahod, mga benepisyo, hanggang sa mga oportunidad para sa patuloy na pag-unlad at pagsasanay," Romualdez said.

(This includes higher salaries, benefits, and opportunities for continuous training and development. I have consulted with the chairman of the appropriations committee, and we will ensure that more classrooms, laptops, and computers are provided.)

In addition to the salary increase, the Department of Education (DepEd) outlined future initiatives such as developing an employee welfare and well-being policy to “holistically address physical, mental, emotional, social, occupational, spiritual, and financial well-being for both teaching and non-teaching personnel”.

The agency also plans to create a mental health policy, enhance the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE), and develop an “inclusive employment policy to eliminate all forms of discrimination”.

Other initiatives include implementing the PhilHealth Konsulta, with DepEd clinics accredited as PhilHealth Konsulta Package Providers (KPP) to “ensure affordable healthcare access” for employees, and exploring partnerships with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) for a housing project for DepEd employees.

Teachers’ groups such as the Alliance of Concerned Teachers have previously decried low wages, overwork and insufficient spending for education among the many woes of teachers, leading a number to seek work and a better life outside the country.