Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 1964 or the proposed “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act” on Monday, 22 May, which aims to institutionalize the grant of a teaching allowance for public school teachers.

The bill was principally authored and sponsored by Sen. Bong Revilla, Chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation.

As co-author and co-sponsor of the measure, Sen. Bong Go recognized the importance of supporting and improving the economic situation of teachers through the passage of the bill.

“The passage of the ‘Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act’ is a significant step towards promoting quality education in the country,” noted Go.

“By granting a teaching allowance to public school teachers, we are not only recognizing their dedication and hard work but also ensuring that they have the necessary resources to provide the best education possible to our students,” he added.

Under the bill, the grant of the cash allowance authorized shall cover all public school teachers engaged in teaching the basic education curriculum. The Department of Education will recognize and implement the policy guidelines and learning delivery modalities for the teachers.

If enacted into law, the teaching allowance will be used for the purchase of teaching supplies and materials, payment of other incidental expenses, and the implementation or conduct of various LDMs.

For School Year 2023-2024, all public school teachers will receive a teaching allowance amounting to PhP7,500. This amount will increase to PhP10,000 per teacher for School Year 2024-2025 and beyond in accordance with the proposed measure.

The coverage of allowance extends to public school teachers both in permanent or provisional positions who are actively involved in teaching the basic education curriculum, which encompasses public elementary, junior high, and senior high schools.

Furthermore, the coverage also extends to teachers engaged in Community Learning Centers, Alternative Learning System (ALS) programs, Mobile Teachers, and District ALS coordinators.

According to the bill, the additional benefits will not be subject to income tax, provided that the total benefits received by the teachers do not exceed the threshold set by the National Internal Revenue Code.

Go believes that the measure will not only uplift the economic well-being of teachers but also enhance the overall quality of education in the country.

“Through the ‘Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,’ we demonstrate our commitment to investing in our teachers and ultimately in the future of our country,” said Go.

“By providing them with the necessary resources and support, we empower them to deliver quality education to our children,” he concluded.