Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7833

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
‘2™ District, Hocos Norte

AN ACT GRANTING COST OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
CONTINUITY ALLOWANCE TO PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Education plays a vital role in nation-building. It is the key to the
development of human capital. The success of every nation, however, lies not
in the quantity, but in the quality of education. No less than our Constitution
recognizes the importance of quality education in national development. It
further mandates the State to enhance the right of teachers to professional
advancement.

Teachers have the great responsibility of shaping the future of the country.
They are a fundamental pillar in the education system. Yet, teachers,
particularly in the public sector, are often overlooked. For decades, public
teachers have fought for a more competitive salary, benefits, and support for
their professional advancement. They have shouldered expenses for necessary
tools of teaching and learning, which the government has repeatedly failed to
provide.

While the government has gradually made reforms and granted certain
benefits for public school teachers, there is more to be done to further improve
their economic status and professional advancement in order that they may
compare favorably with existing opportunities in other walks of life.

Hence, this bill.

This bill seeks to grant public school teachers a Cost of Teaching and
Learning Continuity Allowance (COTALCA) amounting to Five thousand
pesos (PhP5,000.00) per month for each school year. The COTALCA a public
school teacher receives is an additional benefit on top of his or her basic salary
to cover the personal expenses for teaching supplies and materials,
preparation of lesson plans and for the conduct of various modes of learning
delivery, or to pursue continuous learning opportunities for their professional
development.


In recognition of the value of education and of our teachers, it is only
necessary that we, as representatives of the people and as former students,
give what is due them. This additional benefit ensures quality tools for
teaching and learning—tools that they need in a multifaceted profession and
vocation.

In light of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is

earnestly sought.
wo Me ican


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 7833

Introduced by Rep. ANGELO MARCOS BARBA
2n¢ District, locos Norte

AN ACT GRANTING COST OF TEACHING AND LEARNING
CONTINUITY ALLOWANCE TO PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 “COTALCA for
Public-School Teachers Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - Education is essential in national
and economic development. It is therefore the policy of the State to promote
and improve the economic status and professional advancement of teachers in
order that they may compare favorably with existing opportunities in other
walks of life. The State shall likewise endeavor to attract and retain more
individuals with suitable qualifications in the teaching profession and provide
them the opportunity for continuous learning.

To this end, the Government shall grant public school teachers an
additional benefit as a means to cushion the impact of the costs of teaching
and learning continuity.

SECTION 3. Coverage. - This Act shall be limited to all permanent and
provisional teachers, including Alternative Learning System (ALS) Mobile
Teachers and District ALS Coordinators (DALSCs), in all public elementary,
junior, and senior high schools, and community learning centers, who are in
service in the Department of Education for the current school year, and
assigned with at least one teaching load.

SECTION 4. Cost of Teaching and Learning Continuity Allowance
(COTALCA). — A Cost of Teaching and Learning Continuity Allowance
(COTALCA) amounting to Five thousand pesos (PhP5,000.00) per month for
each school year is hereby granted to all public school teachers covered under
this Act.

Cost of Teaching and Learning Continuity Allowance is the amount of
money a public school teacher receives in addition to his or her basic salary to
cover the personal expenses of teachers for their teaching supplies and


materials, preparation of lesson plans and for conduct of various modes of
learning delivery, and/or to pursue continuous learning opportunities for their
professional development such as attending traditional education seminars,
joining digital or online education training programs or other teaching
development opportunities of their choice.

SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within thirty (30)
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education (DepEd), in
coordination with the Department of Budget and Management, the
Department of Finance and other concerned government agencies, shall
formulate the necessary rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of
this Act.

The implementing rules and regulations shall be published in the Official
Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to cover the initial
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current year’s
appropriations, including savings, of the DepEd. Thereafter, such sums as may
be necessary for the effective and continuous implementation of this Act shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is
declared invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected by such
declaration shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders,
administrative orders, and rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are
hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days

after its publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
circulation.

Approved,