₱15,000 Across-the-Board Salary Increase for Public School Teachers Pushed in Congress

A proposal seeking to grant public school teachers and education personnel an additional ₱15,000 in their basic monthly salary remains under consideration in Congress as calls for better compensation for educators continue.

House Bill No. 7649, or the proposed “Dagdag Sahod for Public Basic Education Teachers and Employees Act,” seeks an across-the-board increase in the basic monthly salaries of teachers and employees directly involved in the delivery of public basic education. The House of Representatives' official legislative records list HB 7649 in the 20th Congress.

The measure was principally authored by Akbayan Party-list Representatives Percival “Perci” Cendaña, Jose Manuel Tadeo “Chel” Diokno and Dadah Kiram Ismula, together with Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.

₱15,000 increase to be given in three stages

Under the proposal, the full ₱15,000 increase would not be given all at once. Instead, it would be implemented in three tranches:

• First year – ₱6,000

• Second year – ₱5,000

• Third year – ₱4,000

Once fully implemented, qualified public basic education teachers and personnel would be receiving ₱15,000 more in basic monthly salary than before the law took effect.

Importantly, the proposed increase is intended to be on top of existing salary adjustments under the government's salary standardization program. It would therefore be separate from the regular increases already scheduled for civilian government employees.

For 2026, government employees are already covered by the third tranche of the updated Salary Schedule under Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024, which took effect on January 1, 2026. A fourth and final tranche under EO 64 is scheduled for January 1, 2027. These salary adjustments should not be confused with the proposed ₱15,000 teacher pay hike.

Renewed calls as teachers shoulder school expenses

The proposal has received renewed attention amid continued concerns over the financial burden faced by teachers, including instances where educators spend personal funds on classroom supplies, instructional materials and other school-related needs.

Diokno has argued that teachers should not have to shoulder expenses that should properly be supported by government resources, summarizing the issue with the call: “Dagdag sahod ang kailangan, hindi dagdag abono.”

The issue goes beyond classroom expenses. Teacher organizations have also raised concerns over household expenses, debt, health and housing costs, as well as the growing responsibilities assigned to teachers inside and outside the classroom.

In April 2026, the Teachers' Dignity Coalition (TDC) renewed its appeal for a ₱15,000 across-the-board increase, pointing to the growing debt burden among educators. The group said many teachers resort to borrowing not for luxury expenses, but to cover necessities such as healthcare, housing, children's education and even teaching materials.

The demand continued when School Year 2026–2027 opened in June. Public school teachers led by TDC held an activity near Mendiola to press for congressional action on the proposed ₱15,000 increase, arguing that improving teacher compensation should form part of broader education reform.

Calls for higher salaries were again raised around President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s 2026 State of the Nation Address in July, showing that the issue remains part of the continuing discussion on teacher welfare.

Similar ₱15,000 proposal pending in the Senate

HB 7649 is not the only measure seeking the increase.

In the Senate, Senate Bill No. 211, filed by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, similarly proposes a ₱15,000 across-the-board salary increase for teachers and employees in public basic education.

SB 211 also provides for the increase to be implemented in three stages—₱6,000, ₱5,000 and ₱4,000—and is officially listed by the Senate as pending in committee.

The presence of similar proposals in both chambers reflects continuing legislative interest in increasing the compensation of teachers and other education workers.

Is the ₱15,000 salary increase already approved?

No.

As of August 13, 2026, the ₱15,000 across-the-board increase remains a legislative proposal. HB 7649 appears in the House's current legislative and committee records, but it has not yet completed the legislative process or been enacted into law.

This means there is currently no official release date or implementation date for the ₱15,000 increase.

For the proposal to become law, it must still secure the required approvals in Congress and ultimately be transmitted to the President for action. Funding would also have to be provided for its implementation.

For teachers, however, the continued filing and advocacy surrounding the measure keep the ₱15,000 proposal alive as one of the major salary reform measures being pushed for public basic education workers.

While public school teachers will continue receiving salary adjustments already authorized under EO 64, supporters of the ₱15,000 bill maintain that a substantial, education-specific salary increase is needed to address rising living costs, reduce financial pressure on educators and recognize the responsibilities carried by teachers and other personnel in the public school system.