Romualdez promises teachers higher pay, more benefits

The Philippine Star

October 6, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez assured the country’s nearly one million public school teachers that the House of Representatives will pay more attention to their plight, particularly in terms of salaries and benefits, as well as additional classrooms and equipment.

“In all of the challenges that you face, we in Congress must stress that we will not waver in our promise to give you our continued support in your programs, not just for the laws that we pass, but for the betterment of our teachers as well,” Romualdez said during the culminating celebration of 2024 National Teacher’s Month.

“This includes higher pay, more benefits, which should extend to more opportunities for training and progress of everyone,” he added.

Romualdez vowed that the administration of President Marcos, with the help of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, will not be making promises they cannot keep.

“We salute our teachers who have made sacrifices beyond their limits, who always go out of their way to help our students learn so that they will be fully prepared for the realities and struggles of life the moment they enter our labor force,” he said.

“As we always say, education is the foundation of everyone’s success and for which this administration will vigorously pursue in our ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ theme. And you as teachers, being pillars of our education system, will be there as guiding light for our youth,” Romualdez added.

As he reminisced about his school days, the Speaker said one lesson he learned from one of his teachers was that no matter how difficult the situation is, there will always be ways to overcome these challenges, which will ultimately lead to success.

“With the theme ‘Together4Teachers’, let us celebrate this very important day as another milestone in nation-building. Always remember that the lessons you impart are not limited to the four corners of the classroom, but will also extend to molding the character of our future leaders,” Romualdez said.