Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH (16) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No__1768

Introduced by Hon. Joseph Gilbert F. Violago

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Thousands of outstanding students are consistently being acknowledged for their
academic excellence and virtues. However, such accomplishments may have not been achieved if
it were not for the perseverance of educators. They are unsung heroes of our times because many
have neglected the role they play in the advancement of education in our country.

It is in this light that the State must put emphasis on its duty to ensure that the
performance and the morale of teachers will be kept at the highest level. Although the Republic
‘Act No, 4670, or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, aims to protect the welfare of
teachers, it remains insufficient in responding to the growing needs of teachers given the
persisting high cost of living today.

Said law particularly failed to provide benefits to the dependents of teachers.

Thus, this bill seeks to grant additional benefits to teachers by giving their dependents the
right to scholarship grants, free medical treatment and reasonable pension in case of disability of
their parent- or guardian-teachers. In addition, it also encourages teachers to form cooperatives
in their own municipalities to help further promote their economic welfare.

Itis hoped that through this measure, the teachers will be motivated to work even harder
in their task of shaping the minds of our youth. As we develop more competent and dedicated
teachers, we can be assured of quality education for our youth, and for our nation towards
better and enlightened future generations.

In view of the foregoing considerations, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly

sought.
CLR.
HON. JOSEPH F. VIOLAGO.

Representative
2NP District, Nueva Ecija


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

SIXTEENTH (16™) CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1768

‘House Bill No.

Introduced by Hon. Joseph Gilbert F. Violago

AN ACT

PROVIDING BENEFITS TO QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4670, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, AS AMENDED, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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

SECTION 1. Qualified Dependent Defined. — For purposes of this Act, the term
“Qualified Dependent” shalll refer to any legitimate, recognized, natural or adopted child of a
teacher, who is not more than twenty-one (21) years of age, living with or dependent upon said
teacher for primary support, and neither unmarried nor gainfully employed; or such child,
regardless of age, who is incapable of self-support because of any physical or psychological
defect.

SEC. 2. Section 22 of Republic Act No. 4670, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for
Public School Teachers, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec 22. Medical Examination and Treatment. — Compulsory medical
examination shall be provided free of charge for all teachers before they take up teaching,
and shall be repeated not less than once a year during the teacher's professional life.
Where medical examination show that medical treatment and/or hospitalization is
necessary, same shall be provided free by the government entity paying the salary of the
teachers. QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS OF TEACHERS SHALL ALSO AVAIL OF THE
SAME BENEFITS AS LONG AS THE TEACHER IS IN ACTIVE SERVICE.”

In regions where there is scarcity of medical facilities, teachers AND/OR THEIR
QUALIFIED DEPENDENTS may obtain elsewhere the necessary medical care with the
right to be reimbursed for their traveling expenses by the government entity concerned in
the first paragraph of this Section.

SEC. 3. Educational Benefits. In addition to all other benefits under existing laws, rules
and regulations, up to four (4) qualified dependents of teachers shall be granted free college,
vocational or technical education in any state college or university, or in any state vocational or
technical school, where such dependents may opt to enroll; Provided, that the qualified
dependents must possess the academic requirements for admission to said institutions.

SEC. 4. Section 23 of Republic Act No. 4670, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SEC. 23. Compensation for Injuries. — Teachers shall be protected against the
consequences of employment injuries in accordance with existing laws. The effects of the
physical and nervous strain on the teacher's health shalll be recognized as a compensable
‘occupational disease in accordance with existing laws.


“IN CASES OF PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY DUE TO WORKRELATED
SICKNESS OR INJURY WHERE THE TEACHER HAD BEEN IN SERVICE FOR FIVE (6)
YEARS AND OVER, THE DEPENDENTS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A MONTHLY
PENSION OF NOT LESS THAN FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (PHP 500.00).

“IN CASES OF PERMANENT TOTAL DISABILITY DUE TO WORK-RELATED
SICKNESS OR INJURY WHERE THE TEACHER HAD BEEN IN SERVICE FOR FIVE (5)
YEARS AND OVER, THE DEPENDENTS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO A MONTHLY
PENSION OF AT LEAST EIGHT HUNDRED PESOS (PHP 800).

SEC. 5. Section 27 of Republic Act No. 4670, is hereby amended to be read as:

“SEC. 27. Freedom to Organize. — Public School teachers shall have the right to
freely and without previous authorization both to establish and to join organizations of
their choosing, whether local or national to further and defend their interests.

“THE FORMATION OF COOPERATIVES RUN BY TEACHERS AND
DEPENDENTS OF TEACHERS IN EVERY MUNICIPALITY IS ENCOURAGED. SUCH
COOPERATIVES SHALL PROVIDE CREDIT AND SELF-EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.
AS WELL AS LIVELIHOOD TRAINING PROGRAMS.

“THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (TESDA)
AND OTHER CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SHALL PROVIDE THE
APPROPRIATE TRAINING PROGRAMS TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THE
TEACHERS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS.”

SEC. 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Commission on Higher Education
(CHED), Department of Education (DEPED) and the Technical Educational Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations of this Act within
sixty (60) days from its date of effectivity.

SEC. 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared invalid, the
provisions thereof not affected by such declaration shall remain in force and affect.

SEC. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, rules and regulations or part or parts thereof
inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, superseded or
amended accordingly.

SEC. 9. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general
circulation, whichever comes earlier.

Approved,