FILE PHOTO: Teacher Leo Chavit writes welcome note in Wakas Elementary School in Kawit, Cavite. The Department of Education (DepEd) announced Tuesday, August 20, 2024, that public school teachers’ medical allowance will increase to P7,000 starting 2025. INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — Public school teachers’ medical allowance will increase to P7,000 starting next year, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced.
The DepEd said the medical allowance hike is mandated under Executive Order No. 64, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on August 2, 2024, as the directive authorizes the grant of additional allowances for government personnel, including public school teachers.
The increased amount of P7,000 is a 1,300 percent improvement from the prevailing P500 medical allowance for government employees under Department Order No. 28-2020, which intends to merely cover the costs of medical tests.
“If we pool that together, we can secure comprehensive insurance coverage for our teachers,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement Tuesday.
The DepEd then reminded teaching and non-teaching personnel of public schools that they could file medical claims under the Government Service Insurance System-issued Personal Accident Insurance (GPAI) policy.
READ: DepEd, GSIS ink deal to improve insurance services for teachers
“This policy provides coverage for accidental death or dismemberment up to Php 100,000 and medical reimbursement up to Php 30,000 for injuries,” the agency explained.
Earlier, Angara signed the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11997, or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which mandates an increase to the P5,000-teaching allowance of public school teachers.
READ: Angara signs IRR of law increasing public school teachers’ allowance
For School Year 2024-2025, public school teachers received a teaching allowance worth P5,000. But this will become P10,000 from School Year 2025-2026 onwards with the IRR signed by the new DepEd chief.
“The teaching allowance is granted for the purchase of tangible or intangible teaching supplies and materials, payment of incidental expenses, and the implementation or conduct of various learning delivery modalities. It shall be considered as an outright expense. Grantees of the Teaching Allowance will not be required to present or submit receipts for the expenses incurred,” the IRR reads.