Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday vowed to pursue legislation to institutionalize more benefits and protection for teachers.
Gatchalian said one of his proposed laws is the Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Senate Bill No. 2493).
It amends the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Republic Act No. 4670).
The proposed changes include the grant of calamity leave, educational benefits, and longevity pay; the circumstances and conditions on the grant of special hardship allowance; enrichment of the criteria for salaries.
The bill also provides for the protection of teachers from out-of-pocket expenses, among others.
Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, also intends to file a bill that will institutionalize the career progression system for public school teachers.
He lauded President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s commitment to upholding the welfare of teachers, a priority as enunciated in the third State of the Nation Address.
Among the achievements that Gatchalian commended in the President’s SONA is the signing of the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act (Republic Act No. 11997), a law that will increase the teaching allowance from P5,000 to P10,000 starting School Year 2025-2026.
The President also said public school teachers will receive personal accident insurance from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), plus a special hardship allowance.
The President further said that the practice of ‘utang-tagging,’ which prevents teachers from renewing their licenses, should end.
The chief executive also mentioned in his SONA that funds will be allocated to implement the career progression system to promote public school teachers’ professional development and career advancement. Under the expanded system, teachers can choose between the teaching and school administration tracks, which would accelerate and offer ample growth opportunities for public school teachers.
The President said that under this system, no public school teacher will retire as Teacher I.
