The Alliance of Concerned Teachers in Davao City (ACT-Davao) is pressing the national government to disburse the remaining funds for the 2025 Service Recognition Incentive (SRI). The group states that as of January 2026, numerous public school teachers and government employees have yet to receive their complete benefit package.
Unfulfilled Promises and Partial Payments
ACT-Davao spokesperson, Reynaldo S. Pardillo, declared that government assurances of full benefits and decent wages for educators and state workers remain unkept. This issue persists more than a year after the incentives received official approval.
"It is already January 2026, but many benefits owed to teachers and government employees have still not been fully released," Pardillo emphasized.
The SRI, which was distributed in phases, has not been completed for several agencies, particularly within the education sector. According to ACT-Davao, educators and other personnel only received between ₱10,000 and ₱14,500 of the promised ₱20,000 SRI for 2025. The outstanding balance has been delayed, spilling over into the new year.
Violation of Guidelines and Broader Funding Concerns
This partial payment directly contravenes the guidelines set by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), which mandate full payment no later than December 31, 2025.
In a press statement dated January 15, 2026, Pardillo also highlighted wider financial anxieties. He pointed to the delayed salary increase under Executive Order No. 64 and expressed fear over the potential veto of billions in pesos allocated for salaries, regular employment, and employee benefits.
The group specifically criticized what it sees as preferential treatment for military and uniformed personnel, who have seen base pay adjustments, while President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. vetoed ₱43.245 billion under unprogrammed appropriations meant for personnel services.
This vetoed sum included ₱10.772 billion earmarked for hiring new government staff.
Widespread Impact and Calls to Action
The consequences of this budget veto are far-reaching. ACT estimates it impacts over 259,000 job order and contract of service workers across the national government. This figure includes more than 41,000 professors, instructors, and administrative personnel in state universities and colleges.
In response to the crisis, ACT-Davao has issued several demands:
- They called on the DBM to immediately issue the necessary Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) to facilitate the release of the final SRI tranche.
- They urged President Marcos and the DBM to submit a supplemental budget to restore the ₱43.245 billion allocation intended for salary increases, regularization, and retirement benefits of government workers.
- The group renewed its appeal for a substantial salary hike for teachers and education support staff, asserting the government's responsibility to provide a living wage.
The situation underscores ongoing tensions regarding the compensation and welfare of the Philippines' public sector workforce, with teachers in Davao City and nationwide caught in the balance of delayed financial promises.
