Free On-site Living Quarters for Public School Teachers Act

Offire at ps 839Y29 TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) AUG -5 P3:38 First Regular Session SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. _ Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT MANDATING THE PROVISION OF FREE ON-SITE LIVING QUARTERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE Public school teachers are among the most vital pillars of national development. Tasked with educating the next generation of Filipinos, many of them face daily hardships that go beyond the classroom-chief among these is the lack of accessible and decent housing, particularly in far-flung or underserved areas. Long and costly commutes, unsafe living conditions, and separation from family are realities that significantly affect their well-being and productivity. This proposed measure seeks to address this long-standing concern by mandating the establishment of free, adequate, and secure on-site living accommodations for teachers in public schools, especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. By alleviating the burden of housing, the bill affirms the dignity of our educators and allows them to better focus on their crucial role in nation- building. Previously authored and filed by Senator Grace Poe in the 19th Congress, this bill underscores the importance of supporting our educators-those who shape the

very minds and values of our youth, including future artists, creators, and cultural stewards. Investing in teachers is investing in the nation's soul. In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA

Offire of tha TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) AUG -5 First Regular Session P3:38 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. 916 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT MANDATING THE PROVISION OF FREE ON-SITE LIVING QUARTERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Free On-Site Living

Quarters for Public School Teachers Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby the declared policy of the State to

ensure the accessibility and affordability of quality education to all Filipinos. The State duly recognizes the distinct situation of public school teachers who 6 are teaching away from their homes and their families. It is the objective of the State to ensure availability of competent and dedicated public school teachers in the remotest of areas in the country with the least burden 9 and hardship on the part of said public school teachers.

Sec. 3. Coverage. - This Act shall apply to the public school teachers who are

teaching in public schools far away from their respective homes and families and are forced, or have opted, to live in said areas where the schools they teach at are located. There shall be no distinction if the afore-mentioned public school teachers are 14 new hires or transferees.

Sec. 4. Provision of Free On-Site Living Quarters. - The Department of

Education (DepEd) shall, free of charge, provide livable and humane living quarters at

1 the nearest possible location to the public schools where the covered public school 2 teachers in Section 3 of this Act are teaching. Existing benefits and allowances already granted by law, rules, regulations and issuances to the covered public school teachers in this Act shall not be diminished, 5 withdrawn or removed.

Sec. 5. Funding. - The funding necessary for the successful implementation of

this Act shall be sourced from the existing funds of the DepEd and shall later on be specifically allocated in the annual budget of the DepEd. In addition, reasonable and 9 sufficient additional funding shall be sourced from the Special Education Fund (SEF) 10 arising from the real property tax collected by concerned Local Government Units 11 (LGUs) where the living quarters shall be constructed and/or located.

Sec. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DepEd, in consultation with

13 the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of the Interior 14 and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget Management (DBM), 15 shall formulate and promulgate the necessary implementing rules and regulations for the successful implementation of this Act not later than ninety (90) days from the 17 effectivity of this Act.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If for any reason any section or provision of this

19 Act is declared to be unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections and provisions 20 thereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules or regulations or

parts thereof 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 upon publication

in a newspaper of general circulation. Approved,