MORE THAN half of the teachers’ P27.8 million tuition hike shares for the academic year 2020-2021 were finally released by the University management on Tuesday, May 20, according to UST Faculty Union (USTFU) president Asst. Prof. Emerito Gonzales.
“It was released today, 10 a.m. P21.8 million only [was released] today,” Gonzales told The Flame.
The released share amounting to P21.8 million, which is an excess from the year and is covered by the previous bargaining cycle, will be used for the faculty’s salary increases.
Of the amount, all staff will receive a 1.31% salary increase, while counselors and librarians will be given an additional 0.3% wage hike. A 1.31% salary rise to be covered by the National Service Training Program fund will also be given to its facilitators.
Last month, the University vowed to release the faculty’s share worth P27.8 million by May 20. However, P6 million allocated for the faculty’s hospitalization benefits remains on hold and subject to the ratification of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Gonzales said.
Unreleased shares of the faculty amount to P51.45 million in 2021-2022; P63.22 million in 2022-2023; and P104.68 million in 2023-2024. The University repeatedly insisted on withholding the distribution of the funds supposedly to prevent legal and compliance issues.
Republic Act 6728 or the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act mandates private schools to allocate 70% of tuition hikes to their staff’s salaries, allowances and benefits. F
