Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

Introduced by:

Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles
Second District
Province of Rizal

5076
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A HIGHER SALARY GRADE LEVEL AND GRANTING
RETIREMENT BENEFITS TO ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

Explanatory Note

“Ang Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan.” This adage still rings true today. The
youth are the hope of the nation. And it is our teachers who mold our youth to be the
hope of our nation.

Public school teachers are among the most underpaid workers in government,
given their workload, responsibilities, and role in the society. Despite the fact that they are
heralded as molders of our children's future and second parents to our children, public
school teachers receive a basic salary that does not equate to their contribution. Our
teachers are considered to be the heart of the educational system. Hence, the government
needs to give priority to their welfare and interests.

We have about 800,000 public school teachers but the low salaries that they receive
have been a major disincentive for them to improve their skills in teaching and pursue
further education and training. It is also a predicament that our public schools have failed
to attract the best and the brightest graduates from the top colleges and universities
because of low salary levels, preventing our public education system from benefiting from
the knowledge and expertise of outstanding teachers. Especially with the implementation
of the K-12 law, having inspired and capable teachers is probably one of the best
investments our government could make.

Our 1987 Constitution no less recognizes the importance of education and our
teachers. Section 5 (5), Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution provides that “[tJhe 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.” Despite such recognition, the
profession remains to be one of the lowest paid sectors in the country. Considering that
educators perform a crucial role in nation-building, they must receive adequate
remuneration and incentives in exchange to the value of service they render.


‘Thus, this bill seeks to increase the minimum salary grade level of all public school
teachers. In addition, this also grants adequate retirement benefits to qualified teachers.
These are simple measures aimed at providing a more conducive work atmosphere and
living condition for those who choose to practice this noble profession.

Juan Ba eee

2e4 District, Rizal


Republic of the Philippines
Congress of the Philippines
Metro Manila
Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

Introduced by:

Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles
Second District
Province of Rizal

5076
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A HIGHER SALARY GRADE LEVEL AND GRANTING
RETIREMENT BENEFITS TO ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Section 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 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.

Sec. 2. Increase in the Minimum Salary Grade Level. The present minimum salary grade
level of public school teachers in the elementary and secondary schools shall be upgraded
from Grade 11 to Grade 17 and there shall be corresponding upgrade in salary grades of
next level teachers.

Sec. 3 Retirement Benefits, All qualified public school teachers under Republic Act No.
8291 or the Revised Govermnent Service Insurance System Act of 1997 shall receive a
monthly pension for life amounting to not less than eighty percent (80%) of the monthly
average salary, allowances and other emoluments authorized by law.

Sec. 4. Appropriations. The initial funding required for the implementation of this Act
shall be sourced from the savings of the Executive Branch of the government and other
possible sources that may be determined by the Office of the President. The subsequent
funds needed shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for the year following
the implementation of this Act.

See. 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Within sixty (60) days from the effectivity
of this act, the Department of Education and the Government Services Insurance System
in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


Sec. 6. Repealing Cause. - All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including rules and
regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,