“Sana all, at dapat all.”
This was the statement of Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Chairperson Ruby Bernardo following the recent salary increase for military and uniformed personnel (MUP).
In an interview with Brigada NewsFM Manila, Bernardo said teachers have long been calling for a salary hike because their earnings have been left behind for years. For them, if salaries are to be increased, everyone should benefit.
She expressed disappointment that an executive order was enough to quickly finalize the salary increase for MUP, while teachers continue to go through a long and difficult process just to have their demands heard.
Bernardo also linked the issue to alleged destabilization within the military, questioning whether this was the reason the government prioritized them.
She firmly stated that if the situation becomes dire for teachers, they are not afraid to stage a mass leave. She added that it would not reach such a point if only the government truly listened to them.
