ACT Teachers Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio is calling for immediate action from the Marcos Jr. administration to address the growing financial strain on teachers due to the recent surge in inflation and fuel prices..

"With March inflation at 4.1%—a huge jump from 2.4% in February—every peso of a teacher’s pay buys less. Combined with relentless oil price hikes, this is an emergency for educators," Tinio said.

The lawmaker pointed out that the current Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (PERA), fixed at just P2,000 since 2009, is no longer sufficient in light of rising costs. 

"PERA is supposed to be economic relief, but it has been kept at a level that no longer relieves anything," Tinio said. "Government employees—especially teachers—are being asked to do more with less, while prices keep rising. This is unacceptable.”

He called on the government to increase PERA to at least P5,000 to provide meaningful relief to teachers, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

“Teachers cannot eat press statements denying the crisis,” Tinio said, criticizing Malacañang for downplaying the severity of the situation.

The rising cost of fuel, which has driven diesel prices to nearly P170 per liter in parts of Metro Manila, is having a cascading effect on transport fares, food prices, and basic commodities, further straining teachers’ budgets.

Tinio emphasized that teachers, who are already underpaid, should not have to subsidize the crisis from their own pockets.

He also pointed to structural issues, such as fuel deregulation and regressive fuel taxes, which are exacerbating the financial hardship faced by teachers. He urged the administration to acknowledge the crisis and take immediate action to support educators.

“You cannot solve a crisis you refuse to admit,” Tinio stated. 

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