MANILA -- Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Wednesday reiterated President Rodrigo Duterte's vow to hike the salary of public school teachers.
"Ngayon naman ang next plan niya is yung sa mga teacher naman. Kung may pera pa ang gobyerno, naaawa siya sa mga teacher at gusto niya rin ma-increase if not ma-doble ung suweldo (His next plan is for the teachers. If the government has enough funds, he understands the plight of teachers that is why he wants to increase, if not double their salaries)," Go said in his speech during the 2nd Quarter Meeting of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
"Pareho ng ginawa kong pagkulit sa Senado sa pagtaas ng sweldo ng pulis, ganun rin po para sa teachers (Just like what I insisted in the Senate for the increase in the salary of policemen, it would be the same for the teachers)," he added.
Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte vowed to increase the pay of public school teachers.
The top presidential aide said the salary increase for policemen and soldiers came first because it was one of Duterte's promises during the campaign for the 2016 presidential elections.
"Promise po yan ni Pangulo na dodoblehin niya. Kulang talaga ang sweldo ng mga pulis. Sabi niya, campaign promise ko idodoble ko yan. Sa Senado nagfa-follow up kami. Ako nagfa-follow up sa pagdoble ng sweldo ng pulis at sundalo, sabi ko pag hindi nyo inuna yan, magre-resign si Pangulo (The President's promise is to double that. The salaries of policemen are meager. He said in his campaign promise to double that. I am making a follow up with the Senate regarding the doubling of pay for policemen and soldiers. I said if you do not prioritize that, the President will resign)," Go revealed.
He added that the such measure is also a part of the Duterte administration's efforts to eradicate criminality.
In January this year, policemen and soldiers had their salaries doubled following the President's approval of Joint Resolution No. 1.
Aside from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the salary increase covers uniformed personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippine Coast Guard and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority. (PNA)
