DAVAO CITY – Teachers here are appealing for a salary increase, saying they will be more effective at their jobs if they have one less problem to worry about.

In an interview over the weekend, Merry, a grade school teacher in the Island Garden City of Samal, said it is a sad reality that they have to patronize loan sharks, both to make ends meet and for work itself.

“We tend to accept their offer because we also use it for classroom improvement and sometimes for the learners,” Merry told the Philippine News Agency.

Wheng, a public school teacher here, said some of teachers lack financial literacy and easily grab loan offers without realizing the high-interest rates.

“An increase of salary grade would greatly help. DepEd should also hire more competent teachers and allow early retirement for 50 years old,” she added.

Wheng said schoolrelated beautification is one of the factors why teachers resort to loans.

"Not all materials were covered using the maintenance and other operating expenses budget because there are a lot of school concerns and priorities being addressed by the MOOE," she added

When the pandemic struck in 2020, Wheng said some teachers resorted to loans to purchase laptops, printers, and other materials needed for studentlearner modules.

“There is also internet connection that we really need. Another additional expense on our part,” she added.

Presumptive Vice President Sara Duterte, the incoming Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, has expressed concern about teachers who are deep in debt, especially to loan sharks within the agency.

“That is the sad reality for our teachers. I saw it when I was the mayor of Davao City,” Duterte said in an interview Friday.

Duterte pointed out that such a dilemma affects the quality of work.