At the age of 30, Rhea Dorado wants to get married and settle down. However, as a Teacher II in a public high school, her dreams need more time to be realized.

Still at Salary Grade 12, Rhea gets almost Php 17,000.

"With the low salary of a teacher, I am still anxious that I could not save enough for my future," Rhea said.

Meanwhile, as a Teacher I at Napnud Elementary School at Leganes, Iloilo, Joy Tolones said that her salary is not even enough to sustain the normal cost of living specially for someone who has a family.

"A teacher's job does not stop after class hours. We still continue working even at home, sacrificing our time and sometimes even our budget for our students," she said.

Joy also added a teacher's salary is not always enough.

"Compared to the other professional government employees, educators have a lower salary," she added.

Rhea and Joy are among the many Ilonggo teachers who want a salary increase.

SALARY INCREASE

Citing the burden of a public school teacher, a lawmaker is pushing for the passage of a bill that will upgrade the minimum salary of a teacher.

Rep. Ma. Theresa Bonoan-David of the Fourth District of Manila said that most teachers from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15 are usually in the borderline of the poverty threshold.

"The minimum salary of our teachers remains incomparable with the salary of other professions. Worst, most are in the borderline of the poverty threshold," said Bonoan-David.

David is pushing for the passage of House Bill 6000, which seeks for the upgrade of the minimum salary grade level of public school teachers in elementary and secondary schools, from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15.

According to reports, Salary Grade 11 amounts to a monthly compensation of P15,649 while Salary Grade 15 amounts to P24,887.

SUPPORT

For Virgie Jimeno, Principal II of Banate Central Elementary School in Banate, Iloilo the increase is really needed by the teachers because it can help them when it comes to the improvement in their quality of living.

She said that before she became a principal, she had financial struggles.

"It will help teachers a lot because they will be able to raise their standard of living. For sure, they could be efficient teachers because their stomach and pockets are full," she added.

Meanwhile, Neolita Oliveros, a Master III of Pontevedra National High School in Capiz, said that some teachers usually resort to loan since it is the most convenient way to get money for emergency situations.

She also added that it is also hard for some to save because of the many deductions from their salary.*with a report from CassyJimeno/WVSU Intern