SIXTEENTH C.ONGRESS .OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC .OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
FIRST REGULAR SESSION 
) 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
2281 
Introduced by Senattor Sergio .Osmena III 
, . \ .: ~ 
,~ 
'14 
JUN11 
P2:37 
"AN ACT INCREASING THE MINIMUM MONTHLY SALARIES .OF PUBLIC SCH.O.OL 
TEACHERS T'o TWENTY FIVE TH.OUSAND PES.OS (P 25,000.00) AND N.ON-
TEACHING PERS.ONNEL T'o FIFTEEN TH.OUSAND PES.OS (P 15,000.00)" 
EXPLANAT.ORY N.OTE 
Teaching is a dynamic, demanding ,and most of the time, an unappreciated job. 
No other profession can claim as many salcrifices as much as it can inspire, challenge 
and motivate its students 
It demands creativity, in-depth knowledge of the subject 
matter, and humongous efforts to keep a group of individuals from different social 
backgrounds, intelligence I,evels and varied skill sets, together. 
The Philippine Constitution rightly re,cognizes the monumental challenges of the 
teaching profession. In Article XIV, Section :5(5), it clearly states: "The State shall assign 
the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching will retain its rightful 
share of the best available talents through adequate remunerations and other means of 
job satisfaction and fulfillment." Furthermor-e, Republic Act No. 4670, otherwise known 
as "The Magna Carta for Public School Teachers" mandates these two criteria for 
salaries of public school teachers: 
1) They shall compare favorably wit.h those paid in other occupations requiring 
equivalent or similar qualifieations, training, and abilities."(Section 15(a)); 
2) They shall be such as to insure teachers a reasonable standard of life for 
themselves and their families"(Section 15(b)). 
Nearly three decades since the Ph ilippine Constitution was passed and forty-
eight (48) years after the passage of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, the 
government had not fulfilled either mandate. The present pay scheme of public school 
teachers is nowhere near the pay scheme of other occupations in government. The 
entry-level pay of a duly-licensed teacher is Eighteen Thousand Five Hundred Forty 
Nine Pesos (P- 18, 549.00) a month, under Salary Grade 11, Step 1, whereas, cadets at 
the Philippine Military Academy, most off them High School graduates, receive a 
considerably higher salary of Twenty .One Thousand Seven Hundred Nine Pesos (P-
1 


21,709.00) monthly. Even call center agemts, whose qualifications and employment 
requirements are less stringent than licensed teachers, earn between Fifteen Thousand 
Pesos (j;l 15,000.00) to Twenty Five ThOlusand Pesos (j;l 25,000.00) 
as minimum 
monthly pay 
The non-teaching personnel who assists teachers in their tasks, likewise receive 
a salary of only Nine Thollsand Pesos (P !9,000.00) per month with a Salary Grade 1, 
Step 1), which is lower than the minimum w:age in the National Capital Region. 
Through all these financial struggles, many of our graduates including our 
licensed teachers try their luck overseas not as educators but as domestic helpers, 
nannies, and caregivers. Four years of burning the midnight oil and several months 
spent to review for the Board only to be rewarded by either mismatched job option or a 
teaching job that offers just above a minimum wage earner's salary. 
Some of our teachers resort to selling wares, beauty products or processed food 
to students and fellow teachers to augment the copious income they bring home. 
Several of them have also turned to loan sharks during emergencies. As a result, their 
focus and attention are thoroughly divided 110 the extent that it veers away from the basic 
and more important tasks at hand, which is, to educate our children. 
This is the sad statE3 of affairs among our teachers. But all is not lost. Through 
this bill, we hope to restore the intrinsic value equal to the worth of the world's most 
noble profession.This bill ultimately aims to provide a much-improved quality of living for 
teaching and non-teaching staff in public ellementary & secondary schools as provided 
for by the Philippine Constitution, by increasing its entry-level pay. 
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
2 
/I.;v..,u. W 
SERGIO OSMENA III 
Senator 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENAIZ 
S. B. fIIo. ~ 81 
Introduced by Senator Sergio Osmefia III 
~ t'I1:,li' 
ti)(lnf [If til' ~nTrt.!1r~ 
'14 
JlJN 11 
P2 :37 
"AN ACT INCREASING THE MINIMUM MONTHLY SALARIES OF PUBLIC SCHOOL 
TEACHERS TO TWENTY FIVE THOUISAND PESOS (P 25,000.00) AND NON-
TEACHING PERSOI~NEL TO FIFTEIEN THOUSAND PESOS (P 15,000.00)" 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representative of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. 
RI~iteration of Policy. The State policies of ensuring that 
2 
education receives the hi!)hest budgetary priority and that teaching will attract and retain 
3 
its rightful share of the bElst available talents through adequate remuneration and other 
4 
means of job satisfaction and fulfillment are hereby reiterated. In the formulation of. 
5 
decisions with regard to education reforms, the State shall likewise hold paramount the 
6 
protection and promotion of the right of citizens to quality education at all levels and the 
7 
rights of education workers to humane conditions of work and a living wage. 
8 
SECTION 2. 
COIi/erage. This Act shall cover all teaching and non-teaching 
9 
personnel in all public schools in the ,elementary and secondary levels, whether 
10 
nationally or locally funded, including those in technical and vocational schools and 
11 
state universities and colleges. 
12 
SECTION 3. Raising of the Minimum Salaries of Public School Teachers. 
13 
The present minimum salaries of public school teachers in the elementary and 
14 
secondary schools shall be raised from Eighteen Thousand Five Hundred Forty Nine 
15 
Pesos (P-18,549.00) 
to Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (P- 25,000.00) a month. The 
16 
salaries of those occupying higher positions shall be adjusted accordingly. 
1 


1 
SECTION 4. Raising of the Mininl1um Salaries of Non-Teaching Personne/-
2 
The present minimum salaries of non-Reaching personnel in the elementary and 
3 
secondary schools shall be raised from Nine Thousand Pesos (1l9,000.00) to Fifteen 
4 
Thousand Pesos (Il 15,000.00) a month. The salaries of those occupying higher 
5 
positions shall be adjusted accordingly. 
6 
SECTION 5. Priority in Budget Allocation. The Government shall appropriate 
7 
such amount as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act. Provided, that 
8 
the salary increase of teaching and non-teaching personnel in public schools shall take 
9 
priority over non-educational and non-agricultural budgetary allocations. 
10 
SECTION 6. Rules and Regulations. The Department of Education and the 
11 
Department of Budget and Managementt shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
12 
regulations of the provisions of this Act. 
13 
SECTION 7. 
Appropriations. 
The 
initial funding 
required for the 
14 
implementation of this Act shall be sourced from the savings of the Executive Branch of 
15 
the government and other possible sources that may be determined by the Office of the 
16 
President, and subsequent funds neBded shall be included in the General 
17 
Appropriations Act for the year following the implementation of this Act. 
18 
SECTION 8. 
Separability C/aus,e. Should any provision herein be declared 
19 
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act. 
20 
SECTION 9. Repe,flling Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, 
21 
or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are 
22 
hereby repealed. 
23 
SECTION 10. Eft,activity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
24 
publication in the Official Gazette or one (1) newspaper of general circulation. 
25 
Approved. 
2