Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1503

H. B. No.

Introduced by Congresswoman BELLAFLOR J. ANC ARA-CASTILLO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Educators are the unsung heroes of our time. The academic achievements of students are
celebrated, but no proper recognition is given to the teachers who moulded these students and
played a major role in their scholastic advancement.

The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers has helped pomote the welfare of public
school teachers, but has not given them proper recognition in terms of benefits for their
dependents. This bill seeks to help public school teachers by extending to their dependents the
benefits of (i) scholarship grants, (ii) free medical treatment and (iii) monthly pension in case the
teacher suffers from a disability. This bill also encourages them ‘o form cooperatives in theit
municipalities to promote their economic welfare.

Recognition in the form of benefits to their dependents will attract highly competent
individuals to become public school educators and will help teachers cope with the spiraling
cost of living, improve their morale, and motivate them to beco:e better and more effective
educators. This, in turn, will redound to the long-term benefit of ‘ne country by attracting and
retaining able educators and by ensuring quality education for our youth and a better and
enlightened future generation of Filipinos.

In view of the foregoing considerations, immediate appt val of this bill is earnestly

sought
Lacks
RJ! ANGARA-CASTILLO

Represedttative
Lone District, ¢ urora Province



SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OFTHE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

H. B. No. 1503

Introduced by Congresswoman BELLAFLOR J. ANGARA-CASTILLO

AN ACT
PROVIDING BENEFITS TO DEPENDENTS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS
AMENDING FOR THESE PURPOSES REPUBLIC ACT NUMBER FORTY-SIX
HUNDRED SEVENTY (R.A. NO, 4670) OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE MAGNA
CARTA FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress

assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 2 of Republic Act No. 4670, otherwise known as the Magna Carta
for Public School Teachers, is hereby amended to include the following as the third paragraph

of said provision:

“Qualified Dependent” refers to a child, whether legitimate or illegitimate, who
is not married, is not gainfully employed, is living with or dependent upon the teacher
for chief support, and is either (i) not more than twenty-one (21) years of age, or (i)

incapable of self-support because of physical defect, regardless of age.

SEC. 2, Section 22 of Republic Act No, 4670, otherwise known as the Magna Carta fot
Public School Teachers, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"Sec 22. Medical Examination and Treatment, - Compulsory medical
examination shall be provided free of charge for all teachers before they take up
teaching, and shall be repeated not less than once a year during the teacher's
professional life, Where medical examination show thaf medical treatment and/or
hospitalization is necessary, same shall be provided free by the government entity
paying the salary of the teachers.

“QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS OF TEACHERS MAY AVAIL OF THE SAME
BENEFITS WHILE THE TEACHER IS IN ACTIVE SERVICE.”

SEC. 3. Educational Benefits. In addition to all other benefits to which teachers are
entitled under existing laws, rules and regulations, their children, not exceeding four (4), shall

be eligible to enter any state college and university or state voce tional or technical school td


pursue any bachelor’s degree preferably in science and technology courses, vocational or
technical course free of any charge including, but not limited to, tuition and matriculation fees.
SEC. 4, Eligibility. The dependents of the teachers must meet the academic requirement

for admission to subject state college or university, vocational or technical school.

SEC. 5. Implementing Rules. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and thy
Technical Educational Skills Development Authority (TESDA) shall promulgate rules and

regulations which shall guide the implementation of the aforementioned sections.

SEC. 6, Section 23 of subject Republic Act (R.A. No. 4670), is hereby amended to read as
follows:

“SEC. 23. Compensation for Injuries - Teachers shall be protected against the
consequences of employment injuries in accordance with existing laws. The effects of the
physical and nervous strain on the teacher's health shall be recognized as a compensable
‘occupational disease in accordance with existing laws.”

“IN CASE OF THE PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY DUE TO WORK-
RELATED SICKNESS OR INJURY OF A TEACHER WHO HAS BEEN IN ACTIVE
SERVICE FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS, HIS OR HER QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS
ARE ENTITLED TO A MONTHLY PENSION OF AT LEAST P500.00.” F

“IN CASES OF THE PERMANENT TOTAL DISABILITY DUE TO WORK-
RELATED SICKNESS OR INJURY OF A TEACHER WHO HAS BEEN IN ACTIVE
SERVICE FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) YEARS, HIS OR HER QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS
ARE ENTITLED TO A MONTHLY PENSION OF AT LEAST P800.”

“THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL HANDLE THE DISTRIBUTION
OF PENSION BENEFITS TO THE QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS OF TEACHERS.”

SEC. 7, Section 27 of the Magna Carta for Public School ‘Teachers is hereby amended to
be read as:

“SEC, 27 Freedom to Organize, - Public School teachers shall have the right to
freely and without previous authorization both to establish and to join organizations of
their choosing, whether local or national to further and defend their interests.

“THE STATE ENCOURAGES THE FORMATION OF COOPERATIVES
COMPOSED OF TEACHERS AND THEIR QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS IN EVERY
MUNICIPALITY TO PROVIDE CREDIT AND SELF-EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
AND LIVELIHOOD TRAININGS.”

“THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
(TESDA) SHALL GIVE THE APPROPRIATE TRAINING PROGRAMS TO RESPOND
TO THE NEEDS OF THE TEACHERS AND THEIR QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS.”



SEC. 8. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the

provisions thereof not affected by such declaration shall remain in force and affect.

SEC. 9. Repealing Clause. All laws, rules and regulations or part or parts thereof
inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, superseded or

amended accordingly.
SEC. 10. Effectivity Clause. ‘This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general

circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,