Senate Office of the foccretary TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) DEC -9 P3:13 REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) RECEIVED BY: S.B. No._ SENAT5 85 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT PROVIDING FOR HOSPITAL BENEFITS AND OTHER PRIVILEGES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Public school teachers are the backbone of the Philippine education system, serving as frontliners in molding the nation's future citizens while often enduring poor working conditions, limited health coverage, and exposure to occupational health risks. According to the Department of Education (DepEd, 2024), there are over 900,000 public school teachers across the country, many of whom report increased physical and psychological strain due to heavy workloads, large class sizes, and administrative responsibilities. A 2023 study published in Acta Medica Philippina found that Filipino teachers experience high prevalence of stress-related disorders, hypertension, and musculoskeletal problems, compounded by insufficient access to preventive health care (University of the Philippines College of Medicine, 2023). Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO, 2022) emphasizes that educators, particularly those in under- resourced settings, face heightened risk of occupational burnout and chronic fatigue when healthcare support systems are inadequate. Despite these challenges, health and hospitalization benefits for public school teachers remain minimal and fragmented. While DepEd currently grants a P7,000 annual
medical allowance to teachers starting FY 2025 (DepEd, 2024), this benefit does not sufficiently cover diagnostic, hospitalization, and dependent-related medical expenses. A 2022 World Bank Education Note further revealed that insufficient teacher welfare measures, including healthcare and insurance support, directly correlate with lower instructional quality and higher attrition rates in public education systems (World Bank, 2022). The lack of structured hospital benefits has also placed teachers at a disadvantage compared with other public servants who enjoy agency-specific medical privileges. For instance, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines maintain dedicated hospitals with service prioritization for their personnel and families, whereas teachers, despite their essential role, are often subject to the same queues and expenses as ordinary patients. This inequity contradicts the State's constitutional duty to protect and promote the welfare of teachers (Article XIV, Section 5, 1987 Constitution). Hence, the proposed act seeks to institutionalize accessible and affordable hospital services for all public school teachers and their dependents. It mandates all government hospitals to: (a) provide preventive, promotive, diagnostic, curative, and rehabilitative health care; (b) grant at least 10% discount on consultations and hospitalization expenses; and (c) establish fast-lane facilities for teachers and dependents. By ensuring access to hospital care and medical benefits, this measure addresses not only the health inequities faced by public educators but also strengthens the overall teaching workforce. Healthy, supported teachers foster better student learning outcomes and community trust which are key elements of a sustainable and equitable education system. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. RAFFY T. TULFO Senator
Senate n Office of the Secretary DEC -9 P3:14 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE S.B. No. 1585 Introduced by Senator Raffy T. Tulfo AN ACT PROVIDING FOR HOSPITAL BENEFITS AND OTHER PRIVILEGES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Public School Teachers'
2 Hospital Benefits Act."
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated
and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential health and other social services available to all people at affordable costs. Towards this end, the State shall protect the interests and promote the well-being of 7 Filipino public school teachers and their dependents through the provision of medical services.
Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purposes of this Act, the following terms
shall be defined as follows: (a) Public School Teacher refers to a person who is registered at the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and is engaged in classroom teaching in all
schools operated by the government, with the exception of professorial staff of state colleges and universities; (b) Dependent refers to: I. Legitimate spouse; II. Legitimate, illegitimate or legally adopted children, chiefly dependent upon and living with the teacher if such child is not more than eighteen (18) years of age, unmarried and not gainfully employed or is over the age of majority but incapacitated and incapable of self- support due to a mental or physical defect; and III. The teachers' parents who are dependent upon the teacher for support.
Sec. 4. Mandate. - To ensure the availability, accessibility and affordability of
medical benefits, all government hospitals are hereby mandated to: (a) Provide for health care services to all teachers and their legal dependents which shall include preventive, promotive, diagnostic, curative and rehabilitative programs, (b) Conduct medical and other relevant diagnostic examination to ensure the physical and mental capability of all teacher applicants; and (c) Set-up a system that will effectively monitor the health condition of teachers and their dependents.
Sec. 5. Benefits and Privileges. - To carry out the purposes of this Act, all
government hospitals shall: (a) Grant at least ten percent (10%) discount on consultations and other hospital needs for teachers and their dependents; and (b) Provide fast-lane facilities to serve teachers and their dependents.
Sec. 6. Requirements for Availing Hospital Benefits. - Public School Teachers must
bring their Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) Identification Card and valid proof of employment in a public school (like ID). Furthermore, if their dependents wish to avail 4 of this benefit, they must also be accompanied by the teacher and must bring one (1) 5 government ID or Birth Certificate.
Sec. 7. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. — The Philippine Health Insurance
7 Corporation is hereby mandated to increase by ten percent (10%) the health care 8 coverage of teachers and their dependents for medical expenses.
Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of this Act, the Secretary of Health shall formulate the rules and regulations necessary or the effective implementation of this Act.
Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, such sections or parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
Sec. 11. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from
its publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation, whichever comes earlier. Approved,