The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) criticized President Marcos Jr., saying that praise for teachers is meaningless without raising their salaries to a P50,000 entry-level pay.
Marcos recently acknowledged teachers’ sacrifices and emphasized education as a priority during the “RISE in Service” oath-taking ceremony, highlighting allowances and career reforms in the 2026 budget.
ACT Chair Ruby Bernardo said these benefits are not new, but the result of teachers’ long-standing campaigns, and base salaries remain too low to meet the rising cost of living.
She called on the government to follow the example of salary increases given to uniformed personnel.
ACT reiterated that real support for teachers requires meaningful pay raises, not just verbal recognition.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 9, 2026
