MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte Thursday vowed to increase the pay of teachers this year — days after his administration was criticized for allegedly red-tagging members of a teachers' group.
Duterte said he prioritized soldiers in the pay increase because of the risks they are facing.
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"I was talking to (Budget Secretary Benjamin) Diokno at the year-end to find out how things could be (afforded). I told him I prioritized soldiers because I know what will happen," Duterte said during the groundbreaking of the Gregorio National High School in Bukan, Bulacan.
“Kayo ang isusunod ko this year (You will be next this year)," he added.
Duterte said he was ready to talk to representatives of teachers' groups in Malacañan to discuss the pay hike.
"I can maybe accommodate your representatives, go to Malacanan, but not the left. They claim they are not communists. Let us not fool each other. I've been there," the president said.
"I am willing to strike a deal in the presence of (education) secretary (Leonor) Briones, with the teachers. You can choose the date, January, do it fast, then we can make even an agreement or manifesto, choose whatever kind of document," he added.
Budget secretary Benjamin Diokno said all state workers, including teachers, would enjoy a salary hike this year.
"All government employees will get an increase in pay - the fourth tranche of SSL (Salary Standardization Law) 4 - this year, but it has to wait for the approval of the 2019 general appropriations act," Diokno said.
Diokno said his department has initiated a study for the increase in compensation for state workers from 2020 to 2022.
Last week, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers alleged that the Philippine National Police is deploying personnel to schools to gather information about its members. The Commission on Human Rights said the conduct of an inventory is similar to "red-tagging" or the practice of linking persons or groups with rebels.
Officials have claimed it is not the policy of the Duterte administration to spy on teachers.