Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

16” Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO, __ 4810

Introduced by Representative Emil L. Ong

EXPLANATORY NOTE
Section 5 of the Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution states, thus:

“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
remunerated and other means of job satisfaction and fulfilment”

Public school teachers are looked upon and heralded as mentors for the children and
the youth and as such, the profession should and must also be looked upon with respect and
dignity. Providing the teachers with a dignified salary is one of those steps in order to make the
profession worthy of respect and emulation. At present, a teacher 1 position receives a monthly
basic salary of P 18,549.00 as implemented under the third phase of the Salary Standardization
Law (SSL). This amount however is not sufficient to meet the ever growing needs of any
teacher or a Filipino under the present times where inflation is constantly threatening the value
of any hard earned money.

In recent past when the salary of teachers was below standards, the country had seen
the exodus of teachers abroad to seek greener pastures in Hong Kong, the Middle East, and
elsewhere in the world, These teachers either worked as domestic helpers, caregivers, sales
clerks, to name a few. In effect, this aggravated the already declining quality of education
because of lack of qualified teachers who are willing to bear the brunt of working in far flung
barangays of the country, The country in a way lost a working force which could probably propel
the children and the youth into productive citizens who might have contributed to the country's
economic progress

The proposed bill hopes to alleviate the living condition of our public school teachers. A
salary increase will motivate good public knowledge-shapers to continue teaching and
contribute to the country's efforts in achieving quality education for our children and youth alike.

Approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

EmIL Len
Representative, 2" District Northern Samar


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

16" Congress
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative Emil L. Ong

AN ACT
INCREASING THE BASIC SALARY OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS BOTH IN
THE ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL LEVELS TO TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND
PESOS AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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

Section 1, The provision of any law to the contrary notwithstanding, the present basic
salary level of public school teachers both in the elementary and high schools levels shall be
increased to a starting pay of TWENTY FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P 25,000.00) a month;
Provided however, that salary Increase shall be differentiated in accordance with the
qualifications and length of service rendered by the public school teacher and shall not prejudice
or be prejudiced by across the board salary adjustments: Provided further, that merit promotion
on the basis of performance evaluation results shall be considered and treated as separate and
distinct form the upgraded salary provided for under this Act

Section 2. The initial amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act shall be
sourced from the savings of the Department of Education

Thereafter, such amounts as may be necessary to implement this Act shall be included
in the General Appropriations Act for the year following the approval of this Act.

Section 3. The Secretary of Education shall promulgate such necessary rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

Section 4. All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed and/or amended accordingly.

Section 5, This Act shall take effect immediately upon its approval.

Approved