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Republic of the Philippines SRE eX
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IP onte TEIVED 4
Quezon City, Metro Manila 5 Te “Een J
Twentieth Congress eo Ae a)
First Regular Session La InpExse

House Bill No. 386 §

Introduced by Honorable Roy M. Loyola

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to establish a scholarship program granting free post-graduate
education to all qualified public school teachers in the country.

The advancement of our teachers is a matter of constitutional mandate. Article
XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that: “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.” Central to achieving
this is ensuring a competent and highly-qualified teaching workforce.

Further, the Constitution explicitly directs the State to support our educators.
Article XIV, Section 5(4) states: “The State shall enhance the right of teachers to
professional advancement.” This provision is not merely a suggestion but a directive
to actively create pathways for the professional growth and career development of our
teachers.

This constitutional duty is operationalized by Republic Act No. 4670, otherwise
known as the Magna Carta for Public Schoo! Teachers. The law specifically provides
for the continuous improvement of its beneficiaries, mandating that their “educational
qualifications shall be improved where possible and in-service training shall be made
available.” This bill directly fulfills the promise of the Magna Carta by removing the
most significant barrier to our teachers’ pursuit of advanced degrees.

Despite these legal affirmations, the reality for a public school teacher is often
‘one of professional stagnation due to economic constraints. It is a common and valid
complaint that aside from the lack of time—a result of heavy teaching loads and
numerous non-teaching responsibilities—they simply lack the financial means to enroll
in and complete master’s or doctoral programs. Since the salaries of our public school
teachers often struggle to cover even basic living expenses, allocating funds for further


education is an impossibility for many. This financial barrier effectively limits their
opportunities for promotion and career progression, which are frequently tied to post-
graduate qualifications.

If enacted, this measure will empower our public school teachers to enhance
their professional competence by providing them with fully-funded access to post-
graduate programs in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities
and Colleges (LUCs). By investing in our educators, we are making a direct and
strategic investment in the quality of our public education system. This bill not only
seeks to uplift the welfare and status of our teachers but, more importantly, aims to
elevate the quality of instruction for millions of Filipino students through a better-
equipped and more motivated teaching force.

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

OY M. LOYOLA
Repres€ntative
Fifth District, Cavite


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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 3869

Introduced by Honorable Roy M. Loyola

AN ACT
GRANTING FREE POST-GRADUATE EDUCATION TO PUBLIC SCHOOL
TEACHERS IN STATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND LOCAL
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES, AND PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR

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

Sec. 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Free Post-Graduate
Education for Public Schoo! Teachers Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy —t is hereby declared the policy of the State
to promote and enhance the right of teachers to professional advancement. The State
affirms its commitment to improving the terms of employment and career prospects
of public school teachers to attract and retain highly qualified individuals in the
teaching profession. This is in recognition of the fact that the quality of our public
education system depends on the qualifications and abilities of its teaching workforce,
and that education is a vital investment for national development.

Sec. 3. Free Post-Graduate Education in All State Colleges and
Universities (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs). - No tuition
or miscellaneous fees shall be charged to teachers enrolled in post-graduate programs
in SUCs and LUCs.

Sec. 4. Coverage. - This Act shall cover all qualified teachers in public basic
education institutions under the Department of Education (DepEd).

Sec. 5. Eligibility. - To qualify for the grant, a teacher must meet the
following criteria: (a) Be a permanent and full-time public school teacher currently in

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active service; (b) Have rendered at least two (2) consecutive years of teaching
service in the public school system prior to application; and (c) Pass the entrance
examination and fulfill all admission and retention requirements of the SUC or LUC
concerned.

Sec. 6. Implementation. - The Department of Education (DepEd) and the
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) shall serve as the implementing agencies of
this Act. Within sixty (60) days from its effectivity, they shall promulgate the necessary
implementing rules and regulations to ensure the effective and efficient
implementation of this Act. They are likewise mandated to consult teachers'
organizations and accredited teachers’ unions in drafting these regulations.

Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the initial
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the current year’s appropriations of
CHED, SUCs, and LUCs. Thereafter, the funding required for its continued
implementation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is hereby mandated to
include in the annual National Expenditure Program the budget proposals submitted
by SUCs and LUCs for the implementation of this Act.

Sec. 8. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected shall continue to be
in full force and effect.

Sec. 9. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, rules, and regulations
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed
accordingly.

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

Approved,