(PNA file photo) DAVAO CITY - Teachers here are appealing for a salary increase, saying they will be more effective at their jobs if they have one less problem to worry about. In an interview over the weekend, Merry, a grade school teacher in the Island Garden City of Samal, said it is a sad reality that they have to patronize loan sharks, both to make ends meet and for work itself. "We tend to accept their offer because we also use it for classroom improvement and sometimes for the learners," Merry told the Philippine News Agency (PNA). Wheng, a public school teacher here, said some of teachers lack financial literacy and easily grab loan offers without realizing the high-interest rates. "An increase of salary grade would greatly help. DepEd should also hire more competent teachers and allow early retirement for 50 years old," she added. Wheng said school-related beautification is one of the factors why teachers resort to loans. "Not all were provided with mai