TWO militant teachers’ groups on Wednesday called on the Senate to immediately pass the bill giving public-school teachers a P9,000-a-month across-the-board salary increase.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) hope that Senate Bill 2409 will eventually be endorsed for final approval.

The groups, likewise, lauded senators for approving on second reading the proposed bill titled “An Act Providing for Additional Support and Compensation for Educators in Basic Education.”

The bill seeks to grant a P9,000-a-month across-the-board salary increase for all public-school teachers and nonteaching personnel.

There are some 450,000 public- school teachers on the education department payroll.

At present, the lowest-paid teacher gets a basic pay of about P10,000 a month.

Under the bill, the increase will be given in three equal increments over three years.  It also provides for a P1,000 annual medical checkup allowance as well as a Magna Carta bonus, a cash allowance equivalent to the benefits provided by Republic Act 4670, or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

Teachers who draw salary from the Department of Education, as well as those who are being paid by local governments, are entitled to these benefits.

“We commend the senators for standing up for the right of teachers to a decent salary,” Antonio Tinio, ACT chairman, said.

“This is absolutely necessary if the government is really serious about achieving quality education. We are glad that senators from both the administration and the opposition have expressed support for the bill,” he added.

US aircraft carrier sent to RP; more governments help

MORE foreign governments, led by the United States, China and Japan, and private companies pitched in on Wednesday as the country grappled with the impact of tropical storm Frank, the damage assessment for which continued to indicate more crops and properties, as well as lives, lost.

Business surveys political landscape in 2010 race

FILIPINO businessmen kicked off the 2010 election season by having a preview of all the likely presidential candidates in a forum of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Wednesday.

COTABATO CITY—Peace advocates here are holding a peaceful mass action to press the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to return to the peace negotiating table as communities “are already very apprehensive” with talks of a looming war.

DAR’s fate perils foreign projects for farmers

DAVAO CITY—An agrarian-reform department official here is appealing to donor-countries providing support projects to agrarian-reform beneficiaries to continue their projects despite the uncertain fate of the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

Teachers hope for pay hike

TWO militant teachers’ groups on Wednesday called on the Senate to immediately pass the bill giving public-school teachers a P9,000-a-month across-the-board salary increase.

Retired general’s complaint leads to dismissal of judge

THE Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the dismissal of a Regional Trial Court  (RTC) judge after finding him guilty of gross ignorance of the law and conduct unbecoming   a judge for ordering the return of undocumented forest products to its supposed owner after being confiscated in favor of the government.

Court orders the arrest of Zambo kidnappers

ZAMBOANGA CITY—A court has issued a warrant of arrest against three people who were tagged in the recent kidnapping of a local businessman, the police said.

MPIC buys into Davao hospital

DAVAO CITY—Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) has bought 34-percent ownership of the Davao Doctors’ Hospital (DDH), one of  the most modern hospitals outside Metro Manila, raising expectations among hospital officials to increase its share of the profitable medical tourism in Asia.