Photo courtesy of Avito Dalan, Philippine News Agency (PNA)
ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Tuesday urged Malacañang to immediately release the remaining balance of the Service Recognition Incentive for public school teachers.
Tinio said teachers are entitled to a P20,000 incentive but have so far received only partial payments, leaving many still waiting for the full amount.
He stressed that the unpaid portion should be treated as a government obligation once the national budget is in force.
The Service Recognition Incentive is authorized each year under the personnel services component of the General Appropriations Act.
The benefit is meant to recognize the work of public sector employees, including teachers who handle classroom instruction, administrative duties, and other government assignments.
Tinio noted that while other government workers reportedly received the incentive in full before yearend, many educators have yet to be paid completely.
He called on the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to fast-track the release of funds so teachers can receive the full incentive they are entitled to.