Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Education is foremost the priority of the State. In fact, the 1987
Constitution provides for its promotion, to wit:
“The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality
education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such
education accessible to all.”1
The promotion of education includes a myriad of other aspects. Aside
from student welfare, another facet of solving issues related to education are
those related to the teachers. Teachers, even prior to the pandemic, are
experiencing various problems related to the teaching profession. While
those in metropolitan areas experience a lot of problems, the story in
far-flung areas are quite different, especially in last mile schools.
Many teachers travel long hours just to reach their destination
schools. Along the way, they experience hazards and are exposed to various
kinds
of
risks
which
are
not
normally
experienced
by
teachers
in
metropolitan areas and city centers.
As a result, this issue affects and spills over the promotion of more
capable teachers in entering the public education sector. It is within the
purview of the State to complement the dedication and hard work of the
teachers in pursuit of serving as bridge in making sure that the Filipino
youth shall indeed, be the future of our nation.
Hence
the
need
for
this
Bill. It shall solve the aforementioned
problems faced by teachers in far-flung areas by providing dormitories and
housing quarters in order to support them in the practice of their profession
so that they will not have to worry about traveling for hours just to teach the
Filipino youth.
1 Article XIV, Section 1, 1987 Constitution.
August 16, 2022
1:05 pm
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Furthermore, it is the State’s commitment to the welfare and safety of
our teachers and ensure that their talents and energies are refocused in
making
better
Filipinos
who
are
equipped
with
necessary
skills
and
knowledge to serve not just themselves, but also the society at large.
It is for the foregoing premises that the approval of this Bill is
earnestly sought.
ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Party-List


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. _______________
Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR DORMITORIES OR HOUSING QUARTERS FOR
TEACHERS IN FAR-FLUNG AREAS, LAST-MILE SCHOOLS, AND STATE
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION
1.
Short
Title.
–
This
Act
shall
be
known
as
the
“Dormitories for Teachers Act of 2022.”
SECTION 2.
Declaration of Policy. – It is a policy of the State to
promote and improve the socioeconomic status of public school teachers,
their living and working conditions, their terms of employment, and their
career prospects, with the objective of making these compare favorably with
existing opportunities in other walks of life.
SECTION 3. Coverage. - The provisions of this Act shall apply to all
educators, such as teachers, instructors, professors, lecturers, and other
similar professionals, who are employed at public schools in far-flung areas,
last-mile schools, and state universities and colleges located far from the
city center.
SECTION 4. Temporary Housing Facilities. –
The Department of
Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) shall undertake to
provide decent and adequate temporary housing facilities, in the form of
dormitories or housing quarters, to educators employed at public schools in
far-flung areas, last-mile schools, and state universities and colleges located
far from the city center.
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The abovementioned agencies are also mandated to ensure that these
temporary housing facilities are equipped with electricity and water lines, as
well as the basic appliances and furnishings necessary for day-to-day living
of the covered individuals. This shall include, at the minimum:
1) Beds and beddings
2) Work desks
3) Cabinets and other storage spaces
4) A basic kitchen
5) Such other appliances and furnishing which may be deemed
necessary
As far as practicable, these temporary living arrangements shall also
be constructed in such locations where the tenants may get a decent
internet connection, whether wired or wireless.
SECTION 5. Inventory of Less Accessible Schools. - The DepEd and
CHED are hereby mandated to create an inventory of public schools in
far-flung areas, last-mile schools, and state universities and colleges located
far from the city center, arranged from least to most accessible. The least
accessible schools, universities, and/or colleges shall receive priority in the
implementation of this law.
SECTION
6.
Management
of
Temporary
Housing
Facilities-
The
temporary living arrangements created under this Act shall be managed by
the regional offices of DepEd or CHED, whichever is applicable. The regional
offices shall open the applications for tenancy at these housing facilities and
notify applicants of their acceptance or rejection within a reasonable time
prior to the opening of the academic year.
The acceptance or rejection of tenants shall take into consideration
the
capacity
of
the
housing
facilities,
the
availability
of
other
living
arrangements
within
the
vicinity
of
the
school/university/college,
the
distance of the applicant’s current or permanent address from the school,
and other such relevant information.
SECTION
7.
Period of
Operation. - Temporary housing facilities
created pursuant to this Act shall be available for occupancy during the
entire duration of an academic year. This period of operation may be
extended on a case-to-case basis, taking into consideration summer classes,
continuing research work, and other similar circumstances.
SECTION 8. Appropriations. – Such a budget as may be necessary for
the
initial
implementation
of
this Act is hereby allocated. The funds
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act in the succeeding years
shall be included in the General Appropriation Act of the year following its
enactment into law and thereafter.
SECTION 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within thirty (30)
days after this Act takes effect, the Department of Education (DepEd),


Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Department of Public
Works
and
Highways
(DPWH),
in
consultation
and
coordination
with
appropriate government agencies, representatives from the private sector,
and other stakeholders, shall promulgate the necessary implementing rules
and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.
SECTION 10. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act
is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining provisions or parts
unaffected shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION
11.
Repealing
Clause.
–
All
laws,
executive
orders,
presidential decrees or issuances, letters of instruction, administrative
orders, rules, and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions
of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general
circulation.
Approved,