EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
I 
S e n a te
of tljf f e f f r ^ ta r p
•19 SEP 23 P4«7
S E N A T E
RECE1VLDB\‘.
s. No. 1067
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
CREATING IN  THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THE 
PLANTILLA POSITIONS OF GUIDANCE COUNSELORS IN  EVERY ELEMENTARY 
SCHOOL AND ADDITIONAL PLANTILLA POSITIONS OF GUIDANCE 
COUNSELOR FOR HIGH SCHOOL, INCREASING THE SALARIES OF 
GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AND GUIDANCE-RELATED POSITIONS,
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Guidance and counseling are important tools for the holistic development of a child 
to better manage one's emotions when faced with different situations, practice healthy 
coping mechanism at times of emotional conflict and personal problems, and get 
comprehensive advice on courses and careers, among others.1
Secretary Leonor Briones stressed that the lack of guidance counselors in all levels 
of education system has been "a persistent problem" in the Philippines. Such problem is 
rooted from the issue of difficulty of attracting graduates to go into the field or even to 
choose public sector due to the low salary provided for those who are in the Field. As of 
June 2018, according to Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla, only 3,553 guidance-related 
plantilla items were authorized, of which only 1,483 or 42% are filled and out of 1,483,
https://www.nalandaschool.ora/imDortance-of-auidance-and-counsellina


only 393 are Registered Guidance Counselors (RGCs). It is important to note that there 
are 3,220 RGCs as of July 2017.2
This proposed measure seeks to provide for the sufficient number of plantilla 
positions in the Department of Education for the guidance counselors and other guidance- 
related personnel in the public-school system. Further, it aims to increase the salaries of 
the same to be able to incentivize and attract them in the field.
EL ' i f f o
M. LA PI
Senator
2 https://news.mb.com.ph/2018/07/18/deped-search-for-auidance-counselors-held-back-bv-low-
m l


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
®Hitf oftl;c feftrctnip
•19 SEP 23 P4 ^7
s. No. 
1 0 6 7
RECEIVlD bV
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
CREATING IN  THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THE 
PLANTILLA POSITIONS OF GUIDANCE COUNSELORS IN  EVERY 
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND ADDITIONAL PLANTILLA POSITIONS OF 
GUIDANCE COUNSELOR FOR HIGH SCHOOL, INCREASING THE SALARIES 
OF GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AND GUIDANCE-RELATED POSITIONS, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted in the Senate and the House o f Representatives in Congress 
assembled:
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SECTION 1. Creation o fP la n tilla  Positions. The Department of Education, 
in consultation with the Department of Budget and Management, shall ensure that 
there is sufficient number of piantiHa positions for guidance counselors in every public 
elementary and high schools.
For purposes of this Act, the Department of Education shall endeavor to meet 
the recommended ratios of one guidance counselor for every 200 students in the 
public elementary and high schools.
SECTION 2. Increase in  Salary Grades o f Guidance Coordinators, 
Guidance Counselors, Guidance Services Associates, and Guidance Services 
Specialists. The present minimum salary grade levels of guidance coordinators,


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guidance counselors, guidance services associates, and guidance services specialists 
shall be increased in the following manner:
C urrent Position 
C lassification
C urrent Salary Grade
Proposed Salary 
Grade
Guidance Counselor I
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16
Guidance Counselor II
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17
Guidance Counselor III
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Guidance Coordinator I
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Guidance Coordinator II
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20
Guidance Coordinator III
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21
Guidance Services Associate I
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17
Guidance Services Associate II
14
19
Guidance Services Specialist I
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20
Guidance Services Specialist li
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21
Guidance Services Specialist III
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22
Guidance Services Specialist IV
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SECTION 3. Appropriations. The amounts necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the savings of the Department of
Education. Thereafter, the funds shall be provided in the annual General 
Appropriations Act.
SECTION 4. S eparability Clause. Should any provision herein be declared 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this 
Act.
SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. All other laws, decrees, orders, issuances, 
rules and regulations, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed, amended or modified accordingly.


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SECTION 6. Effectivity. The Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the 
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,