The Philippine Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1964 or the proposed “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act” which aims to institutionalize the grant of a teaching allowance for public school teachers.
The bill was principally authored and sponsored by Senator Bong Revilla, Chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation.
As co-author and co-sponsor of the measure, Senator Bong Go recognized the importance of supporting and improving the economic situation of teachers through the passage of the bill.
“The passage of the ‘Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act’ is a significant step towards promoting quality education in the country,” Go stressed.
“By granting a teaching allowance to public school teachers, we are not only recognizing their dedication and hard work but also ensuring that they have the necessary resources to provide the best education possible to our students.”
“By granting a teaching allowance to public school teachers, we are not only recognizing their dedication and hard work but also ensuring that they have the necessary resources to provide the best education possible to our students,” the legislator added.
Under the bill, the grant of the cash allowance authorized shall cover all public school teachers engaged in teaching the basic education curriculum.
The Department of Education will recognize and implement the policy guidelines and learning delivery modalities (LDMs) for the teachers.
If enacted into law, the teaching allowance will be used for the purchase of teaching supplies and materials, payment of other incidental expenses, and the implementation or conduct of various LDMs.
For School Year 2023-2024, all public school teachers will receive a teaching allowance amounting to P7,500.
This amount will increase to P10,000 per teacher for School Year 2024-2025 and beyond in accordance with the proposed measure.
The coverage of allowance extends to public school teachers both in permanent or provisional positions who are actively involved in teaching the basic education curriculum, which encompasses public elementary, junior high, and senior high schools.
Furthermore, the coverage also extends to teachers engaged in Community Learning Centers, Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs, Mobile Teachers, and District ALS coordinators.
According to the bill, the additional benefits will not be subject to income tax, provided that the total benefits received by the teachers do not exceed the threshold set by the National Internal Revenue Code.
The lawmaker believes that the measure will not only uplift the economic well-being of teachers but also enhance the overall quality of education in the country.
“Through the ‘Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,’ we demonstrate our commitment to investing in our teachers and ultimately in the future of our country,” the senator said.
“By providing them with the necessary resources and support, we empower them to deliver quality education to our children.”
“By providing them with the necessary resources and support, we empower them to deliver quality education to our children,” he concluded.
Go has been advocating for accessible and quality education for all Filipinos.
To accomplish this, he has recently co-authored and co-sponsored three other bills that serve as a testament to his commitment to uplifting the country’s education system. These include Senate Bill Nos. 1359, 1360, and 1864.
SBN 1359, or the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act, aims to protect students from the “no permit, no exam” policy in educational institutions that prevents them from taking examinations and other educational assessments due to outstanding financial or property obligations, such as unpaid tuition fees.
Meanwhile, SBN 1360 seeks to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy by amending Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act.
The proposed measure aims to provide more significant support to students who have difficulty in paying for their tuition and other school fees, including those who are not covered by the current subsidies under the said law.
Finally, SBN 1864, or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act, aims to provide relief to students who have taken out loans but are unable to pay them back due to disasters and other emergencies.
Earlier, Go also filed SBN 1190, which proposes expanding the use of the Special Education Fund to cover the operation and maintenance of public schools, payment of salaries and benefits for teaching and non-teaching personnel, and competency training for teaching personnel, among others.
