.,.““, 
i:? 
OFF-44 ..: 4i- ; :it;, :,ECRETAW‘d 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article XIV, Section 4(1) provides: 
“The State recognizes the complementary roles of public and private 
institutions in the educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision 
and regulation of all education institutions.” 
Likewise, in Article XIV, Section 5(5), the Constitution provides that: 
“The State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and 
ensure that teaching will attract and retain its rightll share of the best available 
talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and 
fulfillment.” 
Public school teachers are among the most unpaid workers in OUT society. Despite the 
fact that they are heralded as molders of our children’s future, public school teachers receive only 
less than Ten Thousand Pesos (PlO,OOO.OO) a month each for their basic salary. The teachers are 
considered to be the prime mover of the education system; hence, the government needs to give 
priority to their interest and welfare. 
Thus, to give meaning to the spirit and intent of the above mentioned constitutional 
provisions, there is now an indispensable need to upgrade the salary grade of our public school 
teachers. 
This is a Senate counterpart bill to one filed in the House of Representatives by Rep. Raul 
V. Del Mar II. 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
INCREASING THE SALARY GRADE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS 
FROM SALARY GRADE 10 TO 20 AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives ofthe Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Increase in the Minimum Salary Grade Level. - The present minimum 
salary grade level o f  public school teachers in the elementary and secondary schools shall be 
upgraded from Grade 10 to Grade 20; Provided, however, That the salary upgrading shall he 
differentiated in accordance with the qualifications and length of service rendered by teachers 
and shall Dot be prejudiced by across the board adjustments. 
SECTION 2. Priority in Budget Allocation. - The National Government shall appropriate 
such amount, as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act: Provided. That the 
salary increase of public school teachers shall take priority over other non-educational and non- 
agricultural budgetary allocations. 
SECTION 3. Budget Required. - The Department of Education shall come up with a 
specific programmed budget needed to cover the expenses for the upgrading in salary levels for 
all the corresponding teacher plantilla positions for a period of at least five years to allow the 
Department of Budget and Management make the necessary budgetary adjustments to facilitate 
the smooth implementation of this Act. 
SECTION 4. Inclusion in Appropriations Act. - The amount necessary to implement the 
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for the year following 
the approval of this Act. 
1 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
SECTION 5. Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Education and the Department 
of Budget and Management shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement 
the provision of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any part hereof, is held invalid or unconstitutional, 
the remainder of the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall tale effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
11 
Approved, 
2