Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro on Monday denounced President Rodrigo Duterte for his directive to raise salaries of military and uniformed personnel for the second time in his term while only giving measly increase for public school teachers and other government employees and divided it in four tranches.
Castro urged President Duterte to clarify the leaked directive.
In a leaked confidential Presidential Directive 2020-0049 circulating on Facebook with a subject “Additional Increase in the Salaries of Military and Uniformed Personnel,” the letter stated that Duterte promised to give military and uniformed personnel another round of increase in their salaries before his term ends and instructs concerned agencies to “work on the increase.”
“We strongly denounce this Presidential directive to increase the salaries of Military and Uniformed Personnel for a second time under the Duterte administration,” Castro said.
“President Duterte already doubled the salaries of Military and Uniformed Personnel last 2018, while the increase for public school teachers had to go through numerous ‘studies’ and when approved, the increase would be given in four tranches, even going beyond President Duterte’s term.”
“Also, why is the Presidential Directive confidential when issues on salaries should be made public as it concerns all government employees and the Filipino people? President Duterte should disclose to his people where their taxes go. It should go to basic social services and not just to the salaries of armed men.”
Castro said teachers have been called so many names by cabinet secretaries for demanding for a substantial salary increase and were told that government cannot afford their substantial pay hike.
But when it comes to uniformed personnel, this administration is quick to act on the proposal, immediately finding the funds for its swift implementation, Castro said.
“We ask this administration—Why make a distinction between civilian government employees on one hand and the police and military on the other when both are part of nation building? Teachers, nurses, or clerks may not carry arms and literally give their lives in the course of their duties but they work in government with equal dedication, to serve the people,” said Castro.
Castro said: “We demand a clarification from the President regarding this leaked directive. There should be no special treatment in favor of just the police and military.
“We will continue to demand for a substantial salary increase for teachers, and other government employees.
“This move would only strengthen teachers and continue to demand to this administration to fulfil its promise to public school teachers for a substantial salary increase,” Castro ended.”