Proposed PHP10,000 Cash Aid For Public Tutors In Cebu City Gains Support

A proposed ordinance granting an annual cash incentive of PHP10,000 to all public school teachers in Cebu City has gained the support of the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Division.

Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Danilo Gudelosao said the passage of the proposed ordinance, authored by Cebu City Councilor Lea Japson, would benefit some 5,300 public school teachers in the city.

If approved, the city will have to set aside more than PHP53 million annually for the cash bonus, which under the proposal, will be released every December.

Gudelosao said this generous move would eventually improve teachers’ motivation and dedication to their teaching profession.

”When this happens, teachers can look forward to a meaningful celebration of Christmas amidst financial difficulties, not only with the families but also with their students,” Gudelosao said.

Gudelosao said a newly hired public school teacher has a monthly basic pay of PHP19,007.

When all mandatory deductions are made, they will have a net pay of P16,159.72.

Based on DepEd’s payrolls, Gudelosao said some 36 percent of the total public school teacher population have a net take home pay of PHP3,000 to PHP5,000 per month due to accumulated loans.

These loans, he said, were made by the teachers not for luxury but to pay for their basic needs like providing shelter, sending children or relatives to school and extending financial help to parents and family members.

He said there is also a number of teachers who have undeducted loans since their net take home pay requirement is already below PHP3,000. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS