A teacher conducting a face-to-face lesson on different types of advocacy for learners of Navotas National High School. (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Cavite Rep. Crispin Diego Remulla has proposed giving all public school teachers P15,000 annually for their medical needs, saying their health and well-being “are crucial to the standard of education they can offer.”
Remulla’s House Bill No. 9969, or the proposed “Medical Expense Allowance for Teachers Act,” seeks to “directly address the gap in resources and support for our public school teachers,” particularly their immediate health-related needs.
Remulla, the son of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, said his draft measure was a “gesture of appreciation for the unwavering commitment of our public school teachers.”
“By providing our teachers with the support they need, we are not just enhancing their capacity to teach but also ensuring that every child they educate is given the best opportunity to learn,” he added.
Tax-exempt
Under HB 9969, all public school teachers shall be granted a tax-exempt medical expense allowance worth P15,000 to pay for medical supplies and treatment.
The bill also provides for the amount to be automatically adjusted to its present value every three years “to account for the changing prices of medical supplies, treatment, and procedures.”
The funding for the medical expense allowance will be taken from the Department of Education’s annual budget.
HB 9969 also tasks the education secretary to conduct a periodic review of the incentive, and if necessary, to recommend an increase in the amount.
READ: Bill increasing teachers’ supplies allowance advances
A similar bill was filed earlier by Makabayan lawmakers ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela women’s party list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep Raoul Manuel. Their HB 205 seeks a P10,000 medical examination and treatment allowance per teacher every school year.
In filing the bill, the lawmakers cited Republic Act No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers Act and said the tax-free grant of P10,000 was for the annual physical and mental examination, treatment, and hospitalization of public school teachers.
Both bills have been referred to the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture for scrutiny.