By By Juliane Judilla
ILOILO CITY – In commemoration of World Teachers’ Day, teachers, students, and progressive organizations gathered in front of the Department of Education (DepEd) Iloilo Division office on Friday, October 3, to mark World Teachers’ Day with a protest demanding increased education funding and accountability from government leaders.
Led by the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) – Panay and ACT Region VI Union, the demonstrators called for substantial increases in the national education budget to improve facilities, classrooms, and to raise salaries for both teaching and non-teaching personnel. The protest formed part of a series of coordinated actions across the country.
Professor Early Sol Gadong, faculty regent of the University of the Philippines (UP) system, criticized the persistent neglect of educators in the government’s budget priorities.
“We are calling for a salary increase, but the usual reason given to us is that there is no money, no budget—yet hundreds of millions disappear because of corrupt officials and corrupt contractors,” Gadong stated.
Kabataan Party-list Panay echoed the sentiment, slamming the government for its failure to fund basic education needs while continuing to bankroll questionable projects.
“Budget for education, not corruption!” said Arlie Bosque of Kabataan Party-list Panay.
In a bold political statement, the groups also renewed their call for the impeachment of Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, citing mismanagement and the alleged misuse of millions in education funds.
The protest ended with demonstrators tearing photos of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., VP Duterte, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez while chanting, “Lahat ng korap, dapat managot!” (All corrupt officials must be held accountable!).
Police Dispersal Draws Condemnation
Shortly after the protest began near West Visayas State University in La Paz, Iloilo City, members of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) moved to disperse the gathering. According to BAYAN Panay, the police, led by Patrolman Felicito Dusaran Dolar III, acted under undisclosed orders and attempted to seize protest equipment, including a megaphone.
Witnesses report that officers, wearing bulletproof vests and visibly armed, threatened arrests if the protesters did not leave—a move human rights advocates say was aimed at intimidation.
BAYAN Panay condemned the dispersal as a “blatant act of repression” and a violation of the protesters’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and free expression.
“The presence of armed state forces in what was a peaceful and lawful protest exposes the Marcos Jr. regime’s default response to legitimate dissent: repression and harassment,” the group said in a statement.
They called on the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) to launch an immediate investigation and urged Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas to uphold the rights of citizens to protest without fear of state retaliation.
“Protests concerning matters of national importance—such as the right to education and the fight against corruption—deserve protection, not suppression,” BAYAN Panay asserted.
Despite the threats and dispersal, organizers say they will continue to mobilize in the coming weeks.
“No amount of harassment will silence the people’s movement for truth, justice, and democracy,” BAYAN Panay declared./PT
