Public school teachers are still waiting for the second tranche of their salary raise as mandated by Republic Act (RA) 6758, or the Salary Standardization Law III.

This, as France Castro, secretary-general of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) stressed that Executive Order 900 was issued last June 23 to implement RA 6758.

However, more than a month has passed but the promised raise has not materialized, Castro complained.

“Just the other day, President Aquino was proud about his first paycheck. We noticed that the amount was already adjusted. When we received our monthly salary last July 24, 2010, the amount was still the same. It did not yet reflect the second tranche of increase. Isn’t this unfair?” Castro asked.

“In 2008 and 2009, public school teachers and personnel led by ACT regularly attended Senate and House committee hearings and sessions to support the P9,000 salary increase payable in three years.

“We even marched by the thousands towards Congress to insist on the approval of the bill on salary increase. The Salary Standardization Law III was eventually approved,” she recalled. “Our increase was just minimal and that is why we consider this as partial victory.”

Even as the former government promised to adjust salaries of all personnel starting June 24, 2010 and issued National Budget Circular 524 on the same day to provide the implementing rules and guidelines for the pay, it failed to deliver on its pledge.

Castro said RA 6758 was enacted into law consistent with the principle of providing equitable and just wages to all government personnel.

The same law mandates that the salaries of government employees must be comparable to those in the private sector who hold a similar position.

This is why those in the higher grade level occupying managerial and executive positions receive higher pay.

Castro noted that the adjustment was to be paid in four tranches in four consecutive years.

Every year, an executive order and a National Budget Circular are issued to provide the mechanics for the implementation of the pay increase.

“Public school teachers are at the middle of the salary classification ladder and were entitled to an increase of P6,500 in four years. Positions that are in the higher level of the salary classification, including that of the President, are entitled to a higher rate of increase. The whole classification system seems inequitous. Worse, the increase due us is not available,” Castro said.