Republic of the Philippines
Bouse of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session
House Bill No. 277 9

Introduced by

HON. REPRESENTATIVE LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE
4™ DISTRICT, BUKIDNON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 5, sub-paragraph 5 of the 1987 Constitution
mandates that “the State shall assign the highest budgetary allocation 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 fulfilment.’ This is in respect and recognition of the
noble task teachers perform in the molding of our young’s minds in their role
as future leaders of our society.

Pursuant thereto, Republic Act No. 4670, otherwise known as ‘the
Magna Carta for Public School Teachers’, provides the following criteria for
the salaries of public school teachers :

1) They shall compare favorably with those paid in other occupations
requiring equivalent or similar qualifications, training and abilities;
and,

2) They shall be as such to insure teachers’ a reasonable standard of life
for themselves and their families.

However, current salary levels of public school teachers and instructors
hardly compare with other occupations both in the government and in the


private sector. Under Executive Order No. 64 issued by President Ferdinand
Marcos, Jr. on August 2, 2024, the entry-level position of Teacher I carries a
monthly compensation of P 28,512.00 (Salary Grade Level 11, Step 1). On
the other hand, a Philippine Military Academy cadet (PMA) gets a monthly
salary and allowances of P 48,000.00, while a call center agent, which
requires neither a formal education or college degree receives an average
salary of P 30,167.00 a month.

Meanwhile, State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), including those
funded by local government units, set their own salary grades, meaning
they can decide to pay the Instructor I position at a higher or lower salary
grade. But there's a common or standard list of salary grades used by most
State Educational Institutions as of 2025 in which Instructor 1 is assigned
Salary Grade Level 12 with a monthly compensation of P 32,245.00.

Such salary levels of public school teachers and instructors do not
suffice to insure them a reasonable standard of life for themselves and their
families given the spiraling costs of basic commodities and services. As a
result, they resort to borrowings and fall prey to loan sharks. Others have
opted to work abroad as nannies, care givers or domestic workers, exposing
themselves to risks associated with overseas employment such as illegal
recruitment and employer abuses.

This measure aims to upgrade the minimum salary grade level of
public school teachers in the elementary and secondary schools, including
those funded by local government units, from Salary Grade 11 to Salary
Grade 15, and from Salary Grade 12 to Salary Grade 16 for state colleges
and universities as well as vocational and technical education institutions,
whether locally funded or by the National Government, as an incentive for
them to excel in their chosen profession and to discourage them from going
abroad. Salary Grade 15, Step 1 carries a monthly compensation of P
38,413.00 under EO No. 64, while Salary Grade 16, Step 1 has a monthly
compensation of P 43,560.00.

Teachers are part and parcel of the educational system we aim to
improve. But low-paid and low-morale teachers simply cannot be expected
to perform their job at their best while worrying for their very survival. They
must be properly and sufficiently compensated.


For the foregoing reasons, the immediate passage of the bill is
earnestly urged.

HON. IRN LAVIN ROQUE
4™ DI T, BUKIDNON


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session
House Bill No. 2779

Introduced by

HON. REPRESENTATIVE LAARNI LAVIN ROQUE
4 DISTRICT, BUKIDNON

AN ACT
INCREASING THE ENTRY LEVEL SALARY GRADE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL
TEACHERS IN BASIC EDUCATION FROM SALARY GRADE 11 TO
SALARY GRADE 15 AND TEACHING PERSONNEL IN PUBLIC HIGHER
EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING TECHNICAL AND
VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS FROM SALARY GRADE 12 TO SALARY GRADE
16 AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as the “Public School
Teachers’ Salary Upgrading Act”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy - It is the policy of the State to ensure
that education receives the highest priority in governance and budgetary
support and that teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best
available talents through adequate renumeration and other means of job
satisfaction and fulfillment, thereby guaranteeing the right of public school


teachers to a living wage and the right of citizens to quality education at all
levels.

Section 3. Coverage - This Act shall cover public school teachers and
instructors in all levels, whether nationally or locally funded, including those
in public technical and vocational schools.

Section 4. Upgrading of the Salary Levels of Public School Teachers
in Basic Education -The entry level salary grade (SG) of public school
teachers in the elementary and secondary levels shall be upgraded from
Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15. Salary grade levels of those occupying
higher positions shall be adjusted accordingly.

Section 5. Upgrading of the Salary Levels of Teaching Personnel in
Public Higher Education Institutions, Public Vocational and Technical
Schools - The minimum salary grade level of teaching personnel or
instructors in public universities and colleges, including public vocational and
technical schools, shall be upgraded from Salary Grade 12 to Salary Grade
16. Salary grade levels of teaching personnel occupying higher positions
shall be adjusted accordingly.

Section 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within one hundred
twenty (120) days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of
Education, the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of
Budget and Management, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, shall
promulgate the rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of
this Act.

Section 7. Appropriations - 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.


Section 8. Separability Clause. - If any portion or provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions hereof shall remain
in full force and effect.

Section 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules
and regulations, which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
amended or accordingly.

Section 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a national newspaper of general
circulation.

Approved.