The Department of Education (DepEd) confirmed that as the first day of January 2018 kicks off, public school teachers will receive higher monthly salaries and allowances.

The agency’s announcement came to light amid the implementation of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) which likewise took effect on January 1, 2018.

The measure states that those employees earning P250,000.00 or less annually would be exempt from income tax while the employees’ 13th month pay and other bonuses amounting to P90,000.00 would likewise be tax-free.

DepEd claimed that Teacher 1 with a basic salary of P19,620.00 without dependents usually receive P17,220.86 under the old tax system. Now, following the implementation of the TRAIN law along with the 3rd tranche of the Salary Standardization Law of 2015 in effect, a Teacher 1 will receive a gross basic salary of P20,179.00 and will receive a net take home pay of P20,012.89.

The same amounts to a salary increase of P2,792.03 per month.

The agency further claimed that teachers’ annual chalk, which is usually allotted for the purchase of chalks, erasers and other classroom supplies and materials, has been also increased from P2,500.00 to P3,500.00.

Moreover, teachers clothing allowance has also been increased from P5,000.00 to P6,000.00.