Manila, Philippines – Certified as urgent, the Senate of the Philippines has approved the proposed Salary Standardization Law of 2019.

It was learned that it took past midnight Monday for the senators to review and approve the bill that President Rodrigo Duterte certified as urgent.

With a vote of 21 in favor and an abstention, the bill was approved and is planned for implementation in early 2020.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon abstained because he said he prefers an across-the-board five percent increase.

Earlier, the House also approved the proposal in the second reading and is expected to be available today (Wednesday) or the following day.

According to the bill, salaries in Grade 10 to 15 are highest while salaries in grades 23 to 33 are considered minimum.

Public school teachers’ salaries are up 65 to 87 percent in accordance to President Duterte’s request. (Marian Sinamban/AMIGO/CNS)