During the National Teachers' Day celebrations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, the Marcos Jr. administration promised to raise public school teachers' salaries and other benefits.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stated during his speech that supporting teachers is one of his administration's top goals.

"We are committed to ensuring that you have ample resources to teach, whether by additional materials and reducing non-teaching responsibilities," he said.

"In line with that commitment we have implemented several measures that will transform the lives of our 860,000 public school teachers," he added.

Among these measures is the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which will increase the annual teaching allowance for teachers from ₱5,000 to ₱10,000 tax-free, starting in the school year 2025 and a medical allowance of ₱7,000 starting fiscal year 2025.

The President also signed the implementing rules and regulations of Executive Order No. 174, aimed at professional development and career advancement, ensuring that no teacher will retire at the Teacher 1 level.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez also reaffirmed Congress’ promise to improve the welfare of teachers.

"Kinonsulta ko 'yung chairman ng Appropriations ng House, at sisiguraduhin nating magdadagdag tayo ng mga classroom building at mga laptop at computers...Kabilang dito ang mas mataas na sahod, mga benepisyo, hanggang sa mga oportunidad para sa patuloy na pag-unlad at pagsasanay," Romualdez said.

In addition to the salary increase, the Department of Education (DepEd) outlined future initiatives such as developing an employee welfare and well-being policy to “holistically address physical, mental, emotional, social, occupational, spiritual, and financial well-being for both teaching and non-teaching personnel”.

The agency also plans to create a mental health policy, enhance the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE), and develop an “inclusive employment policy to eliminate all forms of discrimination”.

Other initiatives include implementing the PhilHealth Konsulta, with DepEd clinics accredited as PhilHealth Konsulta Package Providers (KPP) to “ensure affordable healthcare access” for employees, and exploring partnerships with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) for a housing project for DepEd employees.