Naga City teachers join call for salary hike

NAGA CITY—Some were in school uniforms while others were in black shirts, but the cry of the members of the Naga City Teachers and Employees Association (NACITEA) during today’s prayer rally was one and the same: for Congress to pass House Bill No. 245.

Naga City teachers join call for salary hike
Photo by Oscar Esmenda/BICOLSTANDARD.COM

Said House Bill increases the minimum monthly salaries of public school teachers to P25,000 and non-teaching personnel to P15,000.

Headed by their president, Pipo Evangelista, and vice president Liza Delos Martires, the members of NACITEA trooped to Plaza Quince Martires to urge more legislators to support the bill.

Rep. Salvio Fortuno

They acknowledged the support of Rep. Salvio Fortuno of the 4^th legislative district of Camarines Sur, the only Bicolano solon who openly supports the passing of the measure.

In the same occasion, they called upon other Bicolano legislators to back up the pending legislation that has been lying idle in the Lower House.

They lamented that some teachers and other school employees have resorted to selling food items like longganisa, or engaging in the electronic loading business, to augment their meager salary.

They argued that lawmakers should pass the bill instead of squandering public funds. They also reiterated that more talented people will be attracted to the teaching profession if teachers are adequately remunerated.

At least 500 members of the teaching and non-teaching staff from the Division of City Schools joined the prayer rally.—BICOLSTANDARD.COM