Palace appeals to teachers not to proceed with planned mass leave

Photo courtesy of Laguna School Systems

MANILA — The Palace appealed to public school teachers to think of their students as they plan to conduct a mass leave of absence to compel the government increase their salaries.

In a radio interview Saturday, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government continued to engage with the teachers who had grievances in connection with their monthly wage.

“I am very confident that the Department of Education continues to talk to our public school teachers about their concerns,” she said in an interview over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Kung magdedesisyon na itutuloy pa rin nila ang mass leave, siguro ang pakiusap natin ay isipin din ang kapakanan ng ating mga estudyante na umaasa sa ating mga guro para sa kanilang edukasyon (If they decide to pursue the mass leave, we will ask them to think about the welfare of the students who are relying on teachers for their education),” she said.

The government must call the attention of the country’s legislators to address the concerns of public school teachers, she said adding that nurses and other government workers are also asking for salary increase.

The administration is ready to implement laws crafted by Congress with regards to salaries of government employees, Valte stressed.

“We in the administration are ready to comply in case the legislature comes up with anything to address this matter,” she said.