Dagdag Sahod for Public Basic Education Teachers and Employees Act

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 72:3 SENATE S.B. No._ 211 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR FIFTEEN THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 15,000) ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASE IN THE BASIC MONTHLY SALARY OF TEACHERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE PUBLIC BASIC EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR EXPLANATORY NOTE The Constitution mandates that the State shall "ensure that teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment" (Sec. 5(5), Article XIV, 1987 Philippine Constitution). Despite this mandate, the salaries of our public school teachers- including non- teaching personnel - remain meager, especially considering their vital roles and contributions to the delivery of education services as a public and common good. Under the Salary Standardization Law of 2019, teachers received a little over PhP 6,000 in salary increases, spread across four years-equivalent to roughly PhP 1,500 annually. This amount is insufficient to keep up with the rising cost of living and the steadily increasing prices of basic commodities and services (Teachers Dignity Coalition, 2023). As a result of these inadequate salary levels, some public school teachers have sought better income opportunities abroad, taken part-time teaching jobs in private educational institutions, or worked as freelance home-based tutors. Over the years, various teachers' unions and organizations have consistently called on the government to provide decent compensation and substantial salary increases for both teaching and non-teaching personnel. In response, this bill seeks to grant an across-the-board increase of Fifteen Thousand Pesos (PhP 15,000) to the basic monthly salary of teaching and non- teaching personnel in public basic education.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought. Senator

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session JUL -7 P12:03 SENATE S.B. No. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR FIFTEEN THOUSAND PESOS (PHP 15,000) ACROSS THE BOARD INCREASE IN THE BASIC MONTHLY SALARY OF TEACHERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE PUBLIC BASIC EDUCATION 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 "Dagdag Sahod for

Public Basic Education Teachers and Employees Act'".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to promote and

improve the economic status and well-being of teachers and employees in the education sector. Towards this end, the State shall provide the highest budgetary priority to education and to provide adequate remuneration of teachers and employees in the public education system.

Sec. 3. Coverage - This Act shall cover all public school teachers and employees

directly engaged in the delivery of basic education services in line with the curriculum and learning modalities recognized by the Department of Education.

Sec. 4. Increase in Basic Monthly Salary - All teachers and employees in public

basic education, regardless of their length of service and employment status are entitled to an across-the-board increase of Fifteen Thousand Pesos (PhP 15,000.00) to their basic monthly salary. Provided, that this increase is to be implemented in addition to the existing Salary Standardization Law and shall not be construed as an exemption from succeeding salary increases for government employees.

Sec, 5. Salary Increases Schedule - The salary increases shall be given in three tranches under the following schedule: Year 1 - 6,000.00 Year 2 - 5,000.00 Year 3 - 4,000.00 Provided that the salary schedule shall be implemented starting January 1 of the year after the enactment of this Act, and every January 1 of the year thereafter.

Sec. 6, Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions

of this Act shall be provided in the General Appropriation Act.

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Budget and

Management (DBM), in consultation with the Department of Education (DepEd) and teachers' unions and organizations, shall promulgate within sixty (60) days after the effectivity of this Act the necessary rules and regulations for its effective and immediate implementation.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules, and

regulations, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

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

publication in the Official Gazette or in newspapers of general circulation. Approved,