MANILA, Philippines — After pushing for higher pay for soldiers and policemen, President Duterte has ordered agencies to find a way to raise the salaries of teachers.

Duterte issued the directive during a Cabinet meeting at Malacañang last Monday, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday. 

“In connection with the second tax reform package, the President also stated that… he has instructed the (Department of Budget and Management) and all other agencies to find means to increase the salary of teachers after the initial doubling of salaries for the (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and the police. So the teachers will be next,” Roque said. 

Duterte did not provide figures but Roque believes the President wants the salaries of teachers doubled.

“But judging by what he wanted for the (Philippine National Police) and the AFP, it could be that he is also aiming to double the entry salary for teachers,” Roque said. 

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law exempts those earning an annual taxable income of P250,000 and below from paying personal income tax and raised the tax exemption for 13th month pay and other bonuses to P90,000. The income tax provision is expected to benefit 99 percent of income taxpayers. 

Public school teachers are expected to enjoy bigger take-home pay because of the tax reform package signed into law by Duterte last month. 

Those with the rank of teacher 1 without dependents, according to the Department of Education, used to have a starting basic salary of P19,620 and a take home pay of P17,220.86.

With the implementation of the TRAIN law and the third tranche of the Salary Standardization Law of 2015, their gross basic salary will increase to P20,179 while their take-home pay will rise to P20,012.89.

The teachers’ annual chalk allowance will also go up to P3,500 from P2,500 while their clothing allowance will be adjusted to P6,000 from P5,000. 

Duterte signs pay hike resolution

Duterte has also signed a joint resolution allowing the increase in the base pay of military and uniformed personnel. 

The resolution, approved by Congress last month, was signed last Jan. 1. 

Under the new pay schedule, a Police Officer 1 or a private in the military will enjoy an increase in pay to P29,668 per month this year. 

The highest ranking officials of the PNP and AFP will get a monthly salary of P121,143.