"SALARY INCREASE OF SOLDIERS, POLICE, AND TEACHERS"

We all know how much the present administration respects our soldiers, the police force, and all our
uniformed personnel; and how it values their contribution in building and protection of our nation. We
have seen first hand how the president, from the beginning of his campaign up to the present, he and
this administration has worked tirelessly looking for ways to strengthen our security and improve the
lives of our uniformed men and women along with their families. Like our men in uniform, our teachers
should be appreciated everyday. Our teachers play a major role in shaping our country. They produce
Filipinos who become the builders and leaders of our nation. My compassion goes to all our men in
uniform and to our dear teachers. And in my personal opinion they are more than deserving to receive
higher wages and benefits.

In January 2018, the President approved a joint resolution by Congress authorizing the increase in the
base pay of the police, military, and other uniformed personnel. The higher salary has been proposed to
make it more commensurate with the uniformed personnel’s critical role in maintaining national security
and peace and order.

Soldiers and police officers risk their lives every day. While we sit at home safe and sound, they are out
there working for people they might not want to help but do. Leaving their families just to put their lives
on the line for our freedom and to maintain our feeling of security. They risk there life to keep this
country safe, leaving there families not knowing if they will ever see them again. Then people would say
that they shouldnt be paid more? Have they ever had to risk there life? Or had to tell there kids "sorry
daddy/mommy might not be home for christmas. No? Then, think again.

DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno categorically stated that he is “not opposed to the increasing salaries of
our teachers” in a press conference at the DBM Central Office. “I understand the crucial role teachers
have in nation-building and I do believe they should be rewarded accordingly,” he said.

They create the basis of education in billions of people's life's. Knowledge is power, and that’s why it can
make anyone rich or famous. Teachers who provide quality knowledge or education help their students
become rich and successful with their lives. They teach students the necessary knowledge, skills,
disciplines and principles to achieve their goals. They also serve as the second parents to their students.
Students spend most of their time at school, and this is where the role of the teachers comes in. The
relationship between students and teachers sometimes reach the point that they become great
influencers, which in turn produce a generation useful to society.Teachers do not only help their students
earn a diploma but also to earn a better life in the present and future. They work beyond the normal
working time. They don’t just do their job inside the classroom, they also bring home tasks, such as
making lesson plans, making test questions, checking test papers, and many more.

It’s time for our government to value Filipino workers, not only teachers, but also other professionals,
such as our soldiers, policemen, and etc. Have we already forgotten that the most valuable asset of any
organization is its people – the human resources? The people are the builders of our country. Buildings
will fall but as long as we have happy, strong and persistent builders, we can always rise as a nation.