Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Hetro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

4
HOUSE BILL NO. + 68

Introduced by Hon. Kenneth T. Gatchalian

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Teachers act as agents of constructive intellectual, social, cultural, political, and
moral change in education institutions and in the community. In the context of the
government's mandate to protect and promote the fundamental right of every Filipino to
quality basic education which also recognizes the diversity of the country’s

learners, schools, and communities.

Republic Act No. 11650 establishes the policy of promoting inclusion across all public
and private early and basic education schools. All leamers with disabilities shall be ensured
of equitable access to quality education and must not be denied admission on the sole reason
of disability. The law also aims to equip both the teachers and the non-teaching personnel in
the overall progress, particularly care and education, of leamers with developmental needs.
1

During an oversight review of the aforesaid law, it was found out that public schools
nationwide are facing shortage of 7,7651 SPED Teachers in order to provide access of quality
education in proportion to recorded 323,344 leamers with _disabilities.?

Department of Education Culture and Sports Order No. 26 series of 1997 entitled
“Institutionalization of Special Education (SPED) Programs in All Schools” requiring at
least one SPED Center organized in every school division was earlier issued and later on
reiterated through Department Order 11 series of 20003 Clearly, the establishment of this
Center aims to provide access to basic education among persons with special needs either
through formal system or through other alternative approach.

1 https://web.senate gov.ph/press_release/2024/1208_gatchalianl.asp

2 https://www. philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2024/12/09/2406 126/over-7000-sned-teachers-needed
* https://www deped. gov. ph/2000/02/ 1 1/do-1 1-s-2000-recognized-special-education-sped-centers-in-the-
pines!



The program has broadened the goals of basic education providing wider range of
opportunities and learners funneled through the Special Education Program. SPED teachers
play the most significant role in achieving the goal. However, despite their contribution,
workload, and role in the society, public school SPED teachers are among the most
underpaid workers in the country.

Based on DBM approval of SPED Teacher salary, in relation to Executive Order No.
64 effective January 1, 2025, a SPED teacher 1 will have a Salary Grade 14,4 or a monthly
compensation of Php 37,024 in gross amount.5

Recent study of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF, 2022) estimates that
there are about 1.6 million Filipino children with disabilities. ‘ The low salary of around
4,000 SPED Teachers in the Philippines employed in the DepEd has caused dissuasion to
improve their skills and pursue further education and training. This situation also makes the
profession unattractive to the youth, especially to the cream of the crop graduates from top
colleges and universities in the country.

In this regard, this bill seeks to increase the salary grade level of public school SPED
teachers from Salary Grade 14 to 22. Given this proposal, more students will be attracted to
take the special education profession, while incentivizing the SPED teachers to further equip
their skills set to strive for excellence in their field that would transcend in improving the
quality of the public special education system.

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

ION /KENNETH T. GATCHALIAN
Representative
15 District, Valenzuela City

* https://www dbm.gov.ph/index. php/management-2/3358-in-line-with-pbbm-s-directive-dbm-secretary-mina-
pangandaman-approves-16-000-new-teaching-positions-for-2025

5 https://pco.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240802-E0-64-FRM pdf
 https://epbrd, congress. gov. ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/F F2023-17-Special-Educati
pd?

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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Queson City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bi No, 168

Introduced by Hon. Kenneth T. Gatchalian

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF SPED
TEACHERS FROM SALARY GRADE 14 TO 22

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

SECTION 1. Increase in the Minimum Salary Grade Level. ~The present minimum salary
grade level of public-school Special Education (SPED) teachers in the elementary and
secondary schools shall be upgraded from Grade 14 to Grade 22: Provided, however, That
the salary upgrading shall be differentiated in accordance with the 5 qualifications and length
of service rendered by teachers and shall not be prejudiced by across-the-board salary
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 SPED teachers shall take priority over other non-educational

and non-agricultural budgetary allocations.

SECTION 3. Appropriations. — The Department of Education (DepEd) shall come up with a
specific programmed budget needed to cover the expenses for the upgrading in salary levels
for all the corresponding SPED teacher plantilla positions for a period of at least five (5)


years to allow the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to make the necessary
budgetary adjustments to facilitate the smooth implementation of this 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.

SECTION 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DepEd and the DBM shall
promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SECTION 5. Repealing Clause. — All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including rules

and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.
SECTION 6. 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.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,