Senate Senior Deputy Majority Leader JV Ejercito filed legislation seeking an across-the-board P10,000 monthly basic salary increase for all public elementary and high school teachers.

Senate Bill No. 335, titled the “Dagdag Suweldo Para sa mga Guro Act,” would grant the uniform monthly raise to all public school educators regardless of their years of service. Ejercito identified the measure as one of his legislative priorities aimed at improving educator welfare.

The lawmaker stated that the bill recognizes the vital role teachers play in shaping youth while addressing the economic pressures facing public school educators.

“Every day, our teachers do far more than teach,” Ejercito said. “They prepare lessons, grade papers, draft reports, and above all, care for and guide our students. We see their hard work and sacrifice.”

The senator stressed that fair compensation is necessary to elevate educators’ living standards and retain talent within the public school system.

“It is not easy to be a teacher,” Ejercito said. “They carry immense responsibility, often at great personal sacrifice. It is time to show our appreciation through higher pay.”

He cited that bolstering teachers’ financial security represents a crucial investment in national education standards, stating that quality instruction cannot be achieved while frontline educators struggle to make ends meet.