Healthy Buhay at Hanapbuhay Para Sa Guro Act

Offior of 1! TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 14 P4:01 SENATE RECEWVEN S.B. No. INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR HOSPITAL AND HEALTHCARE BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF EXPLANATORY NOTE It has long been established that teachers, especially those in public schools, have been overstretched over the years, routinely performing duties beyond their actual classroom instruction or teaching loads. For instance, in addition to delivering educational services, teachers are expected to fulfill various healthcare-related roles-such as serving as government partners in the implementation of health and nutrition programs, acting as first aid responders, and providing mental and psychosocial support. Despite these added responsibilities, they are highly exposed to occupational health risks and often struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance (Lasco, Yu, David, & Basic, 2023). Teacher groups, such as the Teachers' Dignity Coalition, have reported that many teachers— particularly those in public schools-are vulnerable to physical health risks (e.g., extreme heat), respiratory and voice disorders (e.g., COVID-19, persistent cough, sore throat, hoarseness), musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., lower back and leg pain), and other health issues (e.g., migraines, stress, and sleep disturbances). Given the government's duty to safeguard public health and uphold the right to health, there is a pressing need to provide teachers with adequate hospital and healthcare benefits, thereby ensuring financial protection against these occupational health risks. Therefore, this bill seeks to: a) establish specialty centers and hospital wards in DOH-retained hospitals; b) expand PhilHealth coverage and benefits; c) strengthen medical assistance programs; d) provide medical and health-related discounts; and e) grant mental health and wellness leaves for teachers.

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

TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES First Regular Session 25 JUL 14 P4:01 SENATE S.B. No._ 575 INTRODUCED BY SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS AN ACT PROVIDING FOR HOSPITAL AND HEALTHCARE BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF 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 "Healthy Buhay at

2 Hanapbuhay Para sa Guro Act".

Sec 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to adopt an integrated

4 and comprehensive approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential health and other social services available to all people. The State further recognizes the role of Filipino teachers in the delivery of education services as a public 7 and common good. Towards this end, the State shall fulfill the right to health and 8 promote the well-being of Filipino teachers and their dependents through the provision 9 of available, accessible, and affordable medical and healthcare services.

Sec 3. Coverage. This Act shall apply to all public and private elementary and

secondary school teachers regardless of length of service and status of employment and their declared dependents.

Sec 4. Special Centers and Hospital Wards Para sa Mga Guro. The Department

of Health (DOH) is mandated to establish teachers' health centers and to designate special wards for teachers in all of its retained hospitals and specialty centers. Provided that no fees or expenses shall be charged or paid by the teachers and their qualified dependents in public health facilities.

Sec 5. PHILHEALTH Plus Para sa Mga Guro. All public and private school

2 teachers, regardless of their length of service and status of employment, shall be 3 automatically covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PHILHEALTH). 4 The premium contributions of public-school teachers shall be paid by the national 5 government. Provided, that premium contributions of private school teachers shall be 6 equally shared by the educational institutions and the national government. Provided further, PhilHealth is mandated to increase the health benefits coverage of teachers 8 and their dependents to at least twenty percent (20%).

Sec 6. Medical Assistance Program Para sa Guro. The DOH, DSWD, and DepEd

10 shall establish, harmonize, and strengthen its medical assistance program for teachers 11 to include, but not limited to, subsidies on the hospitalization and medical procedures for teachers and their qualified dependents in private health facilities.

Sec 7. Medical and Health Discounts Para sa Guro. All teachers shall be entitled

to a ten percent (10%) discount and exemption from the value-added tax (VAT), if applicable, on the purchase of medicines and other essential medical and heaith products.

Sec 8. Mental Health and Wellness Leave. All teachers shall be entitled to a

mental health and wellness leave of not more than five (5) working days per year. 19 The mental health and wellness leave shall be in addition to the regular vacation and 20 sick leave entitlements provided under existing laws.

Sec 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education

(DepEd) and Department of Health (DOH), in consultation with concerned national government agencies, teachers' unions, and organizations, shall promulgate within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act the necessary rules and regulations for its effective and immediate implementation.

Sec 10. Appropriations - The amount necessary to implement the provisions

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

Sec 11. Tax Exemptions - All donations, contributions, bequests, subsidies, or

financial aids received by government agencies for the implementation of this Act shall be exempt from payment of taxes under the National Internal Revenue Code and the 31 Local Government Code.

Sec 12. 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 13. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

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