Empowering educators in Bagong Pilipinas

In a groundbreaking gesture, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. demonstrated his commitment to uplifting public school teachers by granting full Service Recognition Incentive (SRI) worth PhP20,000 in 2024.

This marks a significant improvement from previous years, with the SRI raised from PhP15,000 in 2022 to PhP18,000 in 2023, before reaching the current PhP20,000.

Under the Marcos administration, public school teachers have enjoyed enhancements in their financial and non-financial benefits, including salary increases, allowances, overload pay, vacation leave, and medical support.

On December 13, 2024, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman hailed this initiative, saying, “For the first time in history, DepEd teachers will receive their full SRI. From PhP15,000 in 2022 to PhP18,000 in 2023, it will now be PhP20,000 in 2024. We stand with the President in recognizing the sacrifices of our educators, who serve as second parents to our youth.”

The SRI is a yearly financial incentive aimed at acknowledging the unwavering dedication of government employees to public service. Recognizing the vital role teachers play in shaping the nation’s future, the President directed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of Education (DepEd) to ensure the successful implementation of the SRI increase.

‘May SRI na!’

Secretary Pangandaman expressed gratitude to President Marcos, stating, “We thank President Bongbong Marcos for approving the directive to provide the SRI to all government workers.”

President Marcos signed Administrative Order No. 27, which authorized the release of the SRI to all eligible government employees for Fiscal Year 2024.

Grateful public school teachers

For Teacher Irish Ivan Balde of Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science, the SRI brings immense relief; “I am deeply grateful to our government, especially to President Marcos, for granting us the SRI. This support significantly eases our daily needs and highlights efforts to improve teachers’ health benefits.”

“Our teachers are the backbone of our education system, nurturing the youth to become the future leaders and changemakers of our nation. They also uphold our democratic values, not only during elections but as lifelong mentors to the younger generation,” President Marcos emphasized during the National Teachers’ Day celebration in October 2024.

The President underscored how recent reforms have positively impacted the education sector, citing the experience of Sorayda Areola, a teacher from La Union. Areola shared how her salary increase and medical allowance provided her with peace of mind. President Marcos had signed Executive Order No. 64, which included a PhP7,000 annual medical allowance for public school teachers.

“Now, teachers like Sorayda can focus on teaching, secure in the knowledge that the government values their contributions,” the President remarked.

Ensuring educators’ financial capacity

The Marcos administration’s strides to elevate teachers’ compensation include notable milestones.

For instance, during his 2024 State of the Nation Address, President Marcos announced a PhP70 billion allocation for the first and second tranches of salary increases, benefiting 1.35 million government employees, including teachers.

The DBM further outlined how this salary increase benefits sub-professionals, professionals, and executive personnel. Additionally, the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,” signed in June 2024, provides a tax-free teaching allowance of PhP5,000 for School Year 2024–2025, increasing to PhP10,000 in the next school year.

Healthcare benefits were also boosted, with Executive Order No. 64 introducing an annual medical allowance of PhP7,000—a 1,300% increase from the previous PhP500. Teachers’ vacation credits were doubled to 30 days under DepEd Order No. 13, 2024, allowing them to better manage personal and health-related absences.

The introduction of overload pay through DepEd Order No. 05, 2024, and the expansion of the Special Hardship Allowance (SHA) to more teachers further demonstrate the administration’s focus on easing teachers’ workloads and recognizing their dedication.

“With the SHA, an estimated 16,532 additional teachers now qualify for allowances equivalent to 25% of their monthly salaries,” shared Secretary Angara, highlighting the government’s efforts to broaden eligibility and extend assistance to teachers in hardship posts.

Currently, a Teacher I earns an average monthly income of PhP33,071.77, which includes allowances, bonuses, and incentives. Teachers at higher levels, such as Teacher II and III, also see competitive earnings, reflecting the administration’s ongoing commitment to improving their financial well-being.

Easing the teachers’ burden

President Marcos acknowledged the sacrifices teachers make during the signing of the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act” in June 2024. “It must take an incredible amount of love to put your students’ needs above your own financial concerns. This new law institutionalizes an annual teaching allowance and gradually increases it, ensuring it remains tax-free,” he said.

The DepEd, under Secretary Angara, continues to champion initiatives that uplift educators, marking a significant step toward recognizing their invaluable role in nation-building.

Positive impact on teachers

Teacher Imelda Competente-Regala of Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School in Manila shared her gratitude, saying, “We thank the President for increasing our salaries. This initiative supports teachers as molders of future generations and demonstrates the administration’s commitment to the nation’s greatest resource—its people.”

Similarly, Teacher Allan Ross Abelon of Alaminos City expressed his appreciation: “I’m truly grateful for the additional salary and the release of the SRI. These benefits acknowledge the hard work of teachers and provide much-needed financial relief.”

Future directions

As the Marcos administration continues its reforms, Secretary Angara emphasized, “A well-compensated and motivated teaching force is crucial to nurturing the next generation of Filipinos and building a brighter future for the country.”