Additional Allowances for Public Basic Education Personnel Act

Senate /Office of the Secretarp TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 25 DEC 15 P1:12 First Regular Session RECEIVED BY: SENATE Senate Bill No. 1606 Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR ALL TEACHING AND NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL IN PUBLIC BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE Our public education system thrives because of the dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance of both teaching and non-teaching personnel. They carry out their responsibilities every day under difficult conditions, including the high cost of living, limited resources, and increasing workload. However, institutional support for their basic needs remains inadequate. Recent developments such as the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act and DepEd Department Order No. 16, s. 2025, which provides a P2,000 quarterly medical allowance, are welcome. However, these are not enough. The DepEd Order is not permanent and depends on the availability of funds. The Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act is focused on student welfare and only covers teaching personnel, excluding non- teaching staff who also serve in our schools. It is not designed to address the everyday economic realities faced by educators and school staff themselves. This bill aims to fill that gap by ensuring that teaching and non-teaching personnel in public basic education, including those in the Alternative Learning System (ALS), receive tangible, regular support to supplement their daily needs. Specifically, it proposes a) a P3,000 quarterly allowance for groceries and transportation and b) a ₽2,000 quarterly medical allowance. These proposed additional allowances are adjusted every three years to account for inflation and are tax-exempt, in accordance with the National Internal Revenue Code.

These allowances are not just financial assistance but are part of a broader strategy to affirm the State's constitutional mandate to prioritize education, not just in terms of access or facilities, but by ensuring that those who power the education system are well-supported and recognized. By institutionalizing these additional benefits through legislation, we protect them from budgetary fluctuations and administrative discretion. This measure builds on the longstanding advocacy of this representation to uplift the welfare of education workers, as reflected in our budget interventions, committee work, and legislative priorities. While other laws and issuances rightly focus on learners, this bill is a deliberate act of solidarity with our educators and school personnel-the very people who make learning possible. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. брем JOEL VILLANUEVAg

Senate TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE Office of the secretary REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) 25 DEC 15 P1:12 SENATE RECEIVED BY: 1606 Senate Bill No. - Introduced by Senator JOEL VILLANUEVA AN ACT PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR ALL TEACHING AND NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL IN PUBLIC BASIC EDUCATION SCHOOLS, 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 "Additional

2 Allowances for Public Basic Education Personnel Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to protect

4 and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and to take appropriate steps to make education accessible to all. It is also the policy 6 of the State to give the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that 7 the teaching profession will attract and retain best available talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.

SEC. 3. Coverage. - The benefits under this Act shall apply to all

teaching and non-teaching personnel in public basic education, including those in the alternative learning system.

SEC. 4. Additional Support. - The covered personnel shall be entitled

to the following additional benefits: a) Additional Grocery and Transportation Allowance in the amount of Three Thousand Pesos (Php3,000.00) per quarter; and

b) Medical Allowance in the amount of Two Thousand Pesos (Php2,000.00) per quarter. The foregoing amounts shall be adjusted every three (3) years to account for inflation. These additional benefits shall not be taxable, unless the total amount of benefits received by the covered personnel exceeds the threshold provided under Section 32(B), Chapter VI of the National Internal Revenue Code of the 8 Philippines.

SEC. 5. Appropriation. - The amount necessary to carry out the initial

implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current budget of the 11 Department of Education. Thereafter, the amount shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within ninety (90)

days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management and other relevant stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is

declared unconstitutional, the remainder hereof or any provisions not affected thereby shall remain in force and effect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance,

executive order, letter of instruction, rule, or regulation inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

complete publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,