Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso announced on Monday, October 6, that the city government will begin releasing long-delayed allowances for public school teachers and non-teaching personnel starting Tuesday, October 7.
Speaking during the weekly flag-raising ceremony at Manila City Hall, Domagoso said the city has secured an additional ₱160 million in collections from national government contractors operating in the capital, funds that will help cover the city’s arrears to educators dating back to April.
Domagoso explained that the city’s recent windfall came from improved fiscal management and intensified collection efforts, including unpaid taxes from companies and contractors of national government projects such as flood control and public works.
“We have collected ₱160 million from those contractors. Ang tawag natin doon, windfall,” he said. “Because of that, I’m happy to announce, I’ve finished all 100+ documents signed for our beloved teachers of Manila, may utang ang Maynila sa kanila.”
The Mayor said the first tranche, equivalent to April’s allowance, amounting to ₱25 million will be released on Tuesday to around 11,000 teachers and non-teaching staff under the Schools Division Office of Manila.
“Kahit mahirap, kahit sumuot tayo sa karayom, iraraos natin,” Domagoso said. “At least man lang to send a message, given we have much resources, we can address this obligation.”
He credited the coordination between the City Treasurer’s Office, City Legal Office, and the “Sumbong sa Pangulo” platform for identifying delinquent obligations owed to the city.
The Mayor also thanked the city’s teachers for their patience, recognizing that the delays in their benefits occurred amid tight fiscal conditions following the city’s ongoing financial recovery program.
He assured the public that education and personnel welfare remain top priorities under his administration’s “Make Manila Great Again” agenda.
“I want you to deliver quality service. Wala akong ibang hinihingi,” Domagoso told city employees. “You have value in your respective offices. Nandiyan pa rin ang pagmamahal niyo sa kapwa at sa serbisyo-publiko—buhayin niyo ulit ’yan.”
