Kuya Bong pushes more allowance to public teachers, non-teaching personnel

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has filed a bill at the start of the 20th Congress proposing an across-the-board monthly allowance for all teaching and non-teaching personnel in basic education.

Go filed Senate Bill No. 410, titled the “Across-the-board Monthly Allowance for All Basic Education Teachers Act of 2025” last 9 July as he stressed the state’s obligation to prioritize education and improve teachers’ welfare as crucial for national development.

“I am very grateful to the teachers. I would not be a senator if I had not learned then. I went through teachers who were kind, cared for the youth, and continue to serve the country, which is why I learned something... Thank you very much for your service,” Go said.

The bill stresses teachers’ crucial role in shaping the country’s future. “The impact of a teacher extends far beyond the classroom, making them indispensable to the holistic development of each learner and, by extension, to the progress of the nation,” the bill’s explanatory note states.

“Legislating salary increases affirms the state’s commitment to investing in its teachers, the backbone of the education system and key drivers of the country’s development,” it added.

“The work of a teacher is not easy... so to the best of my ability, I will continue to push for higher salaries, benefits, and incentives for teachers,” Go said.

The lawmaker cited Article XIV, Section 5(5) of the 1987 Constitution, which mandates the state to prioritize education in its budget. He noted that despite substantial budgetary allocations to the Department of Education (DepEd), most teachers face financial and professional challenges.

“Although the Department of Education receives substantial budgetary support from the national government, adequate teacher assistance remains lacking,” the senator said. “Therefore, it is imperative to address the growing call for an increase in teacher salaries to ensure their welfare and professional dignity.”

He also acknowledged the burdens public school teachers carry, often using personal funds for classroom supplies and working beyond school hours to assist students. He also pointed out the excessive student-to-teacher ratio in public schools, with some classrooms having 40 to 60 students under a single teacher, far exceeding the ideal 1:25 ratio.

The proposed allowance would be supplementary compensation, in addition to existing salaries and benefits, to provide additional support and recognition for their essential roles. It would cover all teaching and non-teaching personnel in public basic education schools, whether nationally or locally funded, including those in alternative learning and distance learning systems.

If enacted, DepEd would determine and provide the additional monthly allowance. This allowance would be considered part of the basic salary for computing retirement pay and bonuses, and its provision would not prevent future basic pay increases.

Also, the senator has filed a bill at the start of the 20th Congress aimed at strengthening the system for filing delayed registration of births, seeking to address the persistent gap in civil registration.

Go stressed the importance of securing the legal identity of all Filipinos, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized who remain unregistered.

In the bill’s explanatory note, Go highlighted the constitutional mandate to respect and protect the inherent dignity and rights of every Filipino, underscoring the crucial role civil registration plays as the foundation of this protection.

“The 1987 Philippine Constitution upholds the inherent dignity and rights of every Filipino, mandating the State to respect human rights and provide special protection and assistance to children, including ensuring access to basic services,” Go explained. “These principles highlight the critical role of civil registration as a fundamental mechanism for recognizing and safeguarding the identity and rights of individuals.”

He cited that while Act No. 3753, the Law on Registry of Civil Status, has guided the Philippines’ civil registration system for nearly a century, a significant number of Filipinos still lack a legal birth record. DT

“The 1987 Philippine Constitution guarantees every Filipino the right to recognition and protection under the law. However, without a birth certificate, individuals are deprived of their legal identity, hindering their ability to fully access basic rights and essential public services,” Go stressed. “The passage of this Act ensures that every Filipino, especially those who remain unregistered, will have the opportunity to obtain legal identity and, in turn, gain access to government-funded programs and services designed to support their welfare and development.”

Go cited alarming statistics from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which indicate that “approximately 3.7 million Filipinos remain unregistered at birth.” He described this as a “persistent systemic gap that disproportionately affects the most vulnerable sectors of society such as Indigenous Peoples, Muslim communities, and children in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” ultimately depriving them of fundamental rights to education, healthcare, and social protection.

Given this situation, Go asserted that “the passage of this measure is earnestly sought,” reaffirming his legislative intent to close the gaps in civil registration.