DUTERTE VOWS SALARY INCREASE FOR DEPED WORKERS, TEACHERS

Presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to end the government’s humiliation and neglect of public school teachers once elected as president.

Duterte noted that the financial woes experienced by public school teachers is brought by the government’s heartless denial of the teachers demand for rightful increase in their salary.

Duterte, whose late mother was a public school teacher, promised to increase the benefits and salary of teachers and employees of the education sector.

He said majority of public school teachers in the Philippines often fall prey to money lenders because there is not enough takehome pay to feed their families or even send their own children to school.

Saddled with debts, he said public school teachers and employees continue to depend on money lenders because of their desperation to survive and provide their families with a decent life — despite the exorbitant interest of the loans.

Duterte, who is mayor of Davao City for 22 years and the only Cebuano-speaking presidential candidate, said the welfare of public school teachers would have been protected if the government was not corrupt.

“Marami naman tayong pera kung wala lang sanang corruption sa gobyerno,” Duterte said.

Public school teachers are currently receiving between P18,549 and P26,878 a month.

Duterte has also promised to adjust the salaries of police and members of the military — to keep them away from corrupt practices.

Along with curbing illegal drugs and criminality, Duterte’s political agenda is anchored on ending corruption.

He said the Filipino people are victims of its own government.

“Nobody is really trying to save the country. If I make it, corruption will stop — down to the last level,” he said.

(Photo of public school teacher downloaded from philstar.com)