Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
Introduced by HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Article XIV, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution mandates that the State shall
"assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching will
attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate
remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment”. Health benefits
are a crucial part of this equation.
Truly, a healthy teaching force can better perform their role in developing the
minds of the youth—who are the future of our country. According to the
Department of Education’s (DepEd) latest report during the budget deliberations
for FY 2025, there are approximately 910,434 teachers in the public school
system1, responsible for educating around 20 million students2. This staggering
teacher-to-student ratio places immense strain on our teachers, but it is only one
of many challenges they face.
Among the most pressing issues is the insufficient healthcare support made
available to them. At present, public school teachers do not have the usual paid
sick leave benefits enjoyed by other professionals. Thus, when they fall ill, they
are faced with a difficult choice: either report to work despite their condition,
potentially worsening their health, or take an unpaid sick leave, which can strain
their finances and limit their ability to afford necessary medical care. This is an
unjust dilemma no teacher should have to endure.
The proposed bill seeks to fill this gap by institutionalizing a Health
Maintenance Organization (HMO) system that would provide public school
teachers with accessible health care services. Under the bill, each beneficiary
shall receive an annual medical allowance in an amount not exceeding seven
thousand pesos for the availment of an HMO. In so doing, the bill also promotes
preventive healthcare, which would enable teachers to maintain their well-being
2 Locus, S. (2024, August 2). DepEd: Over 23M students enrolled for SY 2024-2025. GMA Integrated News.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/915988/deped-over-23-8-million-have-so-far-enrolled/story/
1 Chi, C. (2024, September 10). DepEd exodus: 'Thousands' of teachers quitting yearly. Philippine Star.
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/09/10/2384274/deped-exodus-thousands-teachers-quitting-yearly
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before health concerns become severe or life-threatening. Most importantly, in the
long run, healthier and happier educators mean higher-quality education and
better learning environments for all our students.
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN
Representative
Bicol Saro Party-list


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
Introduced by HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PROVISION OF A HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION
(HMO) SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Health Maintenance
Organization (HMO) for Public School Teachers Act.”
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the vital role of civil service
employees in nation building. As an important component of the public sector, the State shall
ensure that public school teachers have access to quality and affordable health care. The
government shall provide them access to comprehensive, quality, cost-effective, preventive,
and rehabilitative health services.
SEC. 3. Qualified Beneficiaries. — This Act shall cover all public school teachers in all levels
under the Department of Education (DepEd).
SEC. 4. Selection of Health Maintenance Organization. — The DepEd shall, in accordance
with the provisions of Republic Act No. 12009, otherwise known as the New Government
Procurement Act, procure a contract with a HMO that shall be able to provide healthcare
services to its teaching personnel.
SEC. 5. Coverage. — Each qualified beneficiary shall receive an annual medical allowance
in an amount not exceeding Seven Thousand Pesos as a subsidy for the availment of HMO.
SEC. 6. Mandatory Review. — The medical allowance amount is subject to mandatory
review every three (3) years by the DepEd with the primary objective of ensuring that the
amount is sufficient and reflective of current market prices.
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SEC. 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be
charged against the appropriations of the DepEd of the year following its enactment into law.
Thereafter, sums necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be included in
the annual General Appropriations Act.
SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DepEd, in consultation with relevant
government agencies, shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within six (6)
months from the effectivity of this Act.
SEC. 9. Repealing Clause.— All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations
inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, superseded, or
amended accordingly.
SEC. 10. Separability Clause.— If any provision of this Act or the application of such
provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the remainder of this
Act or the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be
affected thereby.
SEC. 11. Effectivity.—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.