1
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session  
) 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. __________ 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr 
THE MAGNA CARTA OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
 Republic Act No. 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers was 
passed into law in 1966, however, there are still many aspects of the law that leaves 
to be desired. At present, teachers face a daunting challenge since classes become 
increasingly difficult with the shift to online classes brought about by the pandemic, 
coupled with low salary and high inflation prices. It is imperative that these issues 
be addressed since teachers play a crucial role in society. 
This bill therefore aims to amend the Magna Carta for Public School Teacher’s 
provisions by encouraging the professionalization of the teaching vocation, ensuring 
broader protection for their rights; granting higher benefits and leaves incentives as 
may be provided by existing and pertinent laws; and imposing harsher penalties for 
any violations of this measure's provisions. 
In line with the policy adopted by its original proponent Senator Loren 
Legarda, this bill therefore likewise serves as a counter-part House Bill. It is for the 
reasons stated above that the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
HON. ANTONIO B. LEGARDA JR. 
REPRESENTATIVE,  
LONE DISTRICT OF ANTIQUE 
July 13, 2022
8:45 pm
1970


1
NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session  
) 
Introduced by Hon. Antonio B. Legarda Jr. 
THE MAGNA CARTA OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
I. PRELIMINARIES
1 
Section 1.  The Title of Republic Act 4670 is hereby amended to read as “The 
2 
Magna Carta OF Public School Teachers.” 
3 
Sec. 2.  Section 1 of the same Act is hereby amended to read as follows: 
4 
Section 1. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared to be the 
5 
policy of THE STATE to promote and improve the social and 
6 
economic status of public school teachers, their living and 
7 
working conditions, their terms of employment and career 
8 
prospects in order that they may compare favorably with 
9 
existing opportunities in other walks of life, attract and retain in 
10 
the teaching profession more people with the proper 
11 
qualifications, it being recognized that advance in education 
12 
depends on the qualifications and ability of the teaching staff 
13 
and that education is an essential factor in the economic growth 
14 
of the nation as a productive investment of [vital] importance.  
15 
THE STATE SHALL ALSO RESPECT, PROMOTE, AND 
16 
UPHOLD THE POLITICAL RIGHTS OF TEACHERS, 
17 
CONSISTENT 
WITH 
THE 
INTERNATIONAL 
AND 
18 
DOMESTIC LAW IDEAL THAT THE ECONOMIC AND 
19 
SOCIAL RIGHTS OF PERSONS CAN ONLY BE SECURED 
20 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
House Bill No. 1970


2
THROUGH THE GENUINE OBSERVANCE OF CIVIL AND 
1 
POLITICAL RIGHTS. 
2 
Sec. 3.  Section 2 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
3 
Section 2. SHORT TITLE AND COVERAGE. – This Act shall be 
4 
known as the “Magna Carta OF Public School Teachers” and 
5 
shall apply to all public school teachers except those in the 
6 
professorial staff of state colleges and universities.  
7 
As used in this Act, the term “teacher” shall mean all persons 
8 
engaged in classroom teaching, in any level of instruction, on 
9 
full-time 
basis, 
including 
guidance 
counselors, 
school 
10 
librarians, industrial arts or vocational instructors, and all other 
11 
persons 
performing 
supervisory 
and/or 
administrative 
12 
functions in all schools, colleges and universities operated by 
13 
the government or its political subdivisions; but shall not 
14 
include school nurses, school physicians, school dentists, and 
15 
other school employees. 
16 
Sec. 4.  Section 3 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
17 
Section 3. Recruitment and Qualification. Recruitment policy 
18 
with respect to the selection and appointment of teachers shall 
19 
be 
clearly 
defined 
by 
the 
Department 
of 
20 
Education: Provided, however, That effective upon the approval of 
21 
this Act, the following shall constitute the minimum educational 
22 
qualifications for teacher-applicants: 
23 
(1)
FOR TEACHERS IN PRESCHOOL, A BACHELOR’S
24 
DEGREE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (BECED) 
25 
OR ITS EQUIVALENT; 
26 
(2)
FOR TEACHERS IN THE ELEMENTARY GRADES, A
27 
BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION 
28 
(BEED) OR ITS EQUIVALENT; 
29 
(3) FOR TEACHERS IN THE SECONDARY GRADES, A
30 
BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SECONDARY  EDUCATION OR 
31 


 
3
ITS EQUIVALENT (BSED), OR A BACHELOR DEGREE IN 
1 
ARTS AND SCIENCES WITH AT LEAST EIGHTEEN UNITS 
2 
IN PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION; AND 
3 
(4) FOR TEACHERS OF VOCATIONAL AND TWO-YEAR  
4 
TECHNICAL COURSES, A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN THE 
5 
FIELD OF SPECIALIZATION OR ITS EQUIVALENT, WITH 
6 
AT 
LEAST 
EIGHTEEN 
UNITS 
IN 
PROFESSIONAL 
7 
EDUCATION: 
8 
Provided, further, That in the absence of applicants who possess 
9 
the minimum educational qualifications as hereinabove provided, the 
10 
SCHOOLS DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT may appoint, under a 
11 
temporary status, applicants who do not meet the minimum 
12 
qualifications: Provided, 
further, 
That 
should 
teacher-applicants, 
13 
whether they possess the minimum educational qualifications or not, 
14 
be required to take competitive examinations, preference in making 
15 
appointments shall be in the order of their respective ranks in said 
16 
competitive examinations: And provided, finally, That the results of the 
17 
examinations shall be made public and every applicant shall be 
18 
furnished with his OR HER score and rank in said examinations. 
19 
Sec. 5.  Section 4 is hereby amended to read as follows:  
20 
Section 4.  Probationary Period. – When recruitment takes place 
21 
after adequate training and professional preparation in any 
22 
school recognized by the government, no probationary period 
23 
preceding regular appointment shall be imposed if the teacher 
24 
possesses the appropriate civil service eligibility: Provided, 
25 
however, That where, due to the exigencies of service, it is 
26 
necessary to employ as teacher a person who possesses the 
27 
minimum educational qualifications herein above set forth but 
28 
lacks the appropriate civil service eligibility, such person shall 
29 
be appointed on a provisional status and shall undergo a period 
30 
of probation for not less than one year from and after the date of 
31 


 
4
his OR HER provisional appointment: PROVIDED, FURTHER, 
1 
THAT THE SALARIES, BENEFITS, AND CONDITIONS OF 
2 
WORK OF TEACHERS HIRED UNDER THIS SECTION 
3 
SHALL BE THE SAME OR NOT LESS FAVORABLE AS 
4 
THAT OF AN ENTRY-LEVEL TEACHER. 
5 
FOR 
PURPOSES 
OF 
THIS 
ACT, 
“EXIGENCIES 
OF 
6 
SERVICE” 
REFERS 
TO 
A 
SITUATION 
WHERE 
7 
EDUCATION SERVICE IS URGENTLY NEEDED AND 
8 
WHERE ANY DELAY IN ITS EXECUTION AND DELIVERY 
9 
WILL 
ADVERSELY 
AFFECT 
THE 
EFFECTIVE 
AND 
10 
EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF THE SERVICE AND ITS 
11 
OUTCOME.  IN NO CASE SHALL THE EXIGENCIES OF 
12 
THE SERVICE BE INVOKED FOR ANY PERSONNEL 
13 
ACTION THAT WILL RESULT IN DIMINUTION OF RANK, 
14 
STATUS, SALARIES, OR BENEFITS, OR IN ANY MANNER 
15 
PREJUDICE A TEACHER. 
16 
Sec. 6.  Section 5 is hereby amended to read as follows:  
17 
SEC. 5.  Tenure of Office. – Stability on employment and 
18 
security of tenure shall be assured teachers as provided under 
19 
existing laws. 
20 
Subject to the provisions of Section three hereof, teachers 
21 
appointed on a provisional status for lack of necessary civil service 
22 
eligibility shall be extended permanent appointment for the 
23 
position he or she is holding after having rendered at least ten 
24 
years of continuous, efficient, and faithful service in such position. 
25 
NO PERMANENT TEACHER SHALL BE TERMINATED 
26 
EXCEPT FOR A JUST CAUSE AND AFTER DUE PROCESS.  A 
27 
TEACHER WHO IS DISMISSED FROM SERVICE BUT LATER 
28 
FOUND AS UNJUSTLY DISMISSED SHALL BE ENTITLED TO 
29 
REINSTATEMENT AND BACK WAGES. 
30 
Sec. 7.  Section 6 is hereby amended to read as follows:  
31 


 
5
Section 6. TRANSFER. – Except for cause and as herein 
1 
otherwise provided, no teacher shall be transferred without his 
2 
or her written consent from one station to another. 
3 
Where the exigencies of the service require the transfer of a 
4 
teacher from one station to another, such transfer may be 
5 
effected by the SCHOOLS DIVISION SUPERINTENDENT 
6 
who shall previously notify the teacher concerned of the transfer 
7 
and the reason or reasons therefor.  If the teacher believes there 
8 
is no justification for the transfer, he OR SHE may appeal to the 
9 
REGIONAL 
DIRECTOR 
WHO 
SHALL 
RENDER 
A 
10 
DECISION IN WRITING WITHIN A NON-EXTENDIBLE 
11 
PERIOD OF ONE WEEK UPON RECEIPT OF THE APPEAL.  
12 
Pending the appeal and the decision thereon, THE transfer shall 
13 
be held in abeyance:  Provided, however, That no transfer shall be 
14 
made three months before any local or national election; 
15 
PROVIDED, FINALLY, THAT “STATION” UNDER THIS 
16 
ACT SHALL MEAN THE SCHOOL WHERE THE TEACHER 
17 
IS ASSIGNED. 
18 
Necessary transfer expenses of the teacher and his family shall 
19 
be paid for by the government if his OR HER transfer is finally 
20 
approved. 
21 
A TEACHER MAY ALSO TRANSFER UPON HIS OR HER 
22 
WRITTEN REQUEST PURSUANT TO GROUNDS AND 
23 
PROCEDURE UNDER PERTINENT LAWS AND RULES. 
24 
Sec. 8.  Section 8 is hereby amended to read as follows:  
25 
Section 8.  Safeguards in Disciplinary Procedure. – Every 
26 
teacher shall enjoy equitable safeguards at each stage of any 
27 
disciplinary procedure and shall have: 
28 
(1) 
the 
right 
to 
be 
informed, 
in 
writing, 
of 
the 
29 
ALLEGATIONS AND THE GROUNDS FOR THEM; 
30 
(2) 
the right to full access to the evidence in the case; 
31 


 
6
(3) 
the right to defend himself OR HERSELF and to be 
1 
defended by a representative of his OR HER choice, AND BY 
2 
HIS OR HER UNION OR, IN THE ABSENCE THEREOF, 
3 
organization, adequate time being given to the teacher for the 
4 
preparation of his OR HER defense; 
5 
(4) 
THE RIGHT TO BE INFORMED IN WRITING OF 
6 
THE DECISIONS REACHED AND THE REASONS FOR 
7 
THEM; AND 
8 
(5) 
the right to appeal to clearly designated COMPETENT 
9 
authorities OR BODIES.  
10 
No publicity shall be given to any disciplinary action being 
11 
taken against a teacher during the pendency of his OR HER 
12 
case.  ALL RECORDS PERTAINING TO CASES AGAINST A 
13 
TEACHER 
SHALL 
BE 
CONFIDENTIAL 
AND 
ALL 
14 
PERSONS, PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES AND 
15 
PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS, SHALL RESPECT THE RIGHT TO 
16 
PRIVACY OF THE TEACHER. 
17 
PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT 
18 
TO LEGAL COUNSEL AND EXPENSES TO BE PROVIDED 
19 
BY 
THE 
DEPARTMENT 
OF 
EDUCATION 
FOR 
20 
COMPLAINTS AND LAWSUITS IN RELATION TO THE 
21 
PERFORMANCE AND CONDUCT OF THEIR TEACHING 
22 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. 
23 
Sec. 9.  Section 9 is hereby amended to read as follows:  
24 
Section 9. Administrative Charges.  Administrative charges 
25 
against a teacher shall be heard initially by a FORMAL 
26 
INVESTIGATION committee composed of the corresponding 
27 
SCHOOLS 
DIVISION 
SUPERINTENDENT 
or 
a 
duly 
28 
authorized representative who should at least have the rank of a 
29 
DIVISION 
SUPERVISOR 
WHERE 
THE 
TEACHER 
30 
BELONGS, AS CHAIRPERSON, a representative of the 
31 


 
7
UNION PURSUANT TO SECTION 37 HEREOF or, in its 
1 
absence, any existing NATIONAL, provincial, MUNICIPAL, 
2 
OR CITY teacher’s organization, and a supervisor of the 
3 
Division. The committee shall submit its findings and 
4 
recommendations to the SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AS 
5 
THE DISCIPLINING AUTHORITY within FIFTEEN (15) days 
6 
from the termination of the hearings: Provided, however, That 
7 
where the school superintendent is the complainant or an 
8 
interested party, all the members of the committee shall be 
9 
appointed by the Secretary of Education.  
10 
Sec. 10.  Section 10 is hereby amended to read as follows:  
11 
Section 10.  DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED. – A PUBLIC 
12 
SCHOOL TEACHER SHALL NOT BE DISCRIMINATED 
13 
AGAINST WITH REGARD TO GROUNDS SUCH AS SEX, 
14 
SEXUAL 
ORIENTATION, 
GENDER 
IDENTITY 
AND 
15 
EXPRESSION, CIVIL STATUS, CREED, RELIGIOUS OR 
16 
POLITICAL 
BELIEF 
OR 
AFFILIATION, 
ETHNIC 
17 
GROUPINGS, OR ANALOGOUS REASONS.  There shall be 
18 
no discrimination whatsoever in entrance to the teaching 
19 
profession, or during its exercise, or in the termination of 
20 
services based on any ground other than professional 
21 
consideration: 
PROVIDED, 
THAT 
UNDER 
NO 
22 
CIRCUMSTANCE 
THAT 
THE 
LICENSE 
OF 
PUBLIC 
23 
SCHOOL TEACHERS BE SUSPENDED, REVOKED, OR 
24 
INVALIDATED FOR REASONS NOT RELATED TO THE 
25 
PERFORMANCE OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION SUCH 
26 
AS 
BUT 
NOT 
LIMITED 
TO 
NONPAYMENT 
OF 
27 
OBLIGATIONS OR DEFAULT THEREIN AND PERSONAL 
28 
CONFLICTS. 
29 
Sec. 11.  A new Section 11 is hereby inserted after Section 10 to read as 
30 
follows:   
31 


 
8
Section 11.  Gender Equality. – The State shall provide equal 
1 
opportunities to women teachers and those of different gender 
2 
identity and expression in teaching and school and department 
3 
leadership. 
4 
Gender equality shall also be promoted among teachers through 
5 
seminars and other programs and activities. 
6 
Sec. 12.  Sections 11 and 12 of the same Act are hereby renumbered as Section 
7 
12 and 13, respectively.  
8 
Sec. 13.   Section 15 is hereby renumbered as Section 14 and amended to read 
9 
as follows: 
10 
Section 14.  Criteria for Salaries. – Teachers’ salaries shall 
11 
[correspond to the following criteria]: 
12 
(1) 
REFLECT THE IMPORTANCE TO SOCIETY OF THE 
13 
TEACHING FUNCTION AND HENCE THE IMPORTANCE 
14 
OF TEACHERS AS WELL AS THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF 
15 
ALL KINDS WHICH FALL UPON THEM FROM THE TIME 
16 
OF THEIR ENTRY INTO THE SERVICE; 
17 
(2) 
[they shall] compare favorably with those paid in other 
18 
occupations requiring equivalent or similar qualifications, 
19 
training and abilities; 
20 
(3) 
[they shall] be such as to insure teachers a reasonable 
21 
standard of life for themselves and their families; and 
22 
(4) 
[they shall] be properly graded so as to recognize the fact 
23 
that certain positions require higher qualifications and greater 
24 
responsibility than others:  Provided, however, That the general 
25 
salary scale shall be such that the relation between the lowest 
26 
and highest salaries paid in the profession will be of reasonable 
27 
order.  Narrowing of the salary scale shall be achieved by 
28 
raising the lower end of the salary scales relative to the upper 
29 
end. 
 
30 


 
9
Sec. 14.   Section 16 is hereby renumbered as Section 15 and amended to read 
1 
as follows: 
2 
Section 15.  Salary Scale. – Salary scales of teachers shall 
3 
provide for a gradual progression from a minimum to a 
4 
maximum salary by means of regular increments, granted 
5 
automatically after three years:  Provided, That the efficiency 
6 
rating of the teacher concerned is at least satisfactory.  [The 
7 
progression from the minimum to the maximum of the salary 
8 
scale shall not extend over a period of ten years.] 
9 
Sec. 15.  Section 17 is hereby renumbered as Section 16 and amended to read 
10 
as follows: 
11 
Section 16.  Equality in Salary Scales AND BENEFITS. – The 
12 
salary scales and benefits of teachers whose salaries are paid by 
13 
a city, municipal, [municipal district,] or provincial government 
14 
shall not be less than those provided for teachers of the national 
15 
government. 
16 
Sec. 16.  Section 18 is hereby renumbered as Section 17 and amended to read 
17 
as follows: 
18 
Section 17.  Cost of Living Allowance. – Teachers’ salaries shall, 
19 
at the very least, keep pace with the rise in the cost of living by 
20 
the payment of a cost-of-living allowance which shall 
21 
automatically follow changes in a cost-of-living index.  The 
22 
Secretary of Education shall, in consultation with the proper 
23 
government entities, recommend to Congress, at least annually, 
24 
the appropriation of the necessary funds for the cost-of-living 
25 
allowances of teachers employed by the National Government.  
26 
The determination of the cost-of-living allowances by the 
27 
Secretary of Education shall, upon approval of the President of 
28 
the Philippines, be binding on the city, municipal or provincial 
29 
government, for the purposes of calculating the cost-of-living 
30 
allowances of teachers under THE EMPLOY OF THE LATTER. 
31 


 
10
Sec. 17.  A new Section 18 is hereby inserted after the renumbered Section 17 
1 
to read as follows:   
2 
Section 18.  Protection from Out-of-Pocket Expenses. – No 
3 
teacher shall be required to pay out of their personal finances for 
4 
materials, facilities, services, or any other objects or activities 
5 
necessary and related to the performance of their duties. 
6 
Sec. 18.  Section 20 is hereby renumbered as Section 19 and amended to read 
7 
as follows: 
8 
Section 19.  Salaries to be Paid in Legal Tender. – Salaries of 
9 
teachers shall be paid in legal tender of the Philippines or its 
10 
equivalent in checks [or treasury warrants]:  Provided, however, 
11 
That such checks [or treasury warrants] shall be cashable in any 
12 
national, provincial, city or municipal treasurer’s office or any 
13 
banking INSTITUTION operating under the laws of the 
14 
Republic of the Philippines. 
15 
Sec. 19.  Section 21 is hereby renumbered as Section 20 and amended to read 
16 
as follows: 
17 
Sec. 20.  Deductions Prohibited. – No person shall make any 
18 
deduction whatsoever from the salaries of teachers except under 
19 
specific authority of law authorizing such deductions: Provided, 
20 
however, That upon written authority executed by the teacher 
21 
concerned, (1) LAWFUL DUES AND FEES OWING TO 
22 
TEACHERS’ UNIONS, (2) lawful dues and fees owing to the 
23 
Philippine Public School Teachers’ Association, and (3) 
24 
premiums properly due on insurance policies, shall be 
25 
considered 
deductible; 
PROVIDED, 
HOWEVER, 
THAT 
26 
DEDUCTIONS 
UNDER 
THE 
SALARY 
DEDUCTION 
27 
SCHEME 
SHALL 
NOT 
BE 
CHARGED 
WITH 
28 
COMPOUNDED INTERESTS AND PENALTIES. 
29 
Sec. 20.  Section 19 is hereby renumbered as Section 21 and amended to read 
30 
as follows: 
31 


 
11
Section 21.  Special Hardship Allowances. – TEACHERS 
1 
EXPOSED TO HARDSHIP OR EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN 
2 
THE PLACE OF WORK, TEACHERS ASSIGNED TO 
3 
HANDLE MULTI-GRADE CLASSES, MOBILE TEACHERS, 
4 
AND 
ALTERNATIVE 
LEARNING 
SYSTEM 
(ALS) 
5 
COORDINATORS shall be compensated special hardship 
6 
allowances BASED ON THE CRITERIA PRESCRIBED BY 
7 
THE DEPARTMENT: PROVIDED, 
8 
(1) 
THAT PRIORITY SHALL BE GIVEN TO TEACHERS 
9 
ASSIGNED TO HARDSHIP POSTS CHARACTERIZED BY 
10 
HAZARDS TO LIFE AND HEALTH, A STATE OF 
11 
CALAMITY, 
TRANSPORT 
INACCESSIBILITY 
OR 
12 
INCONVENIENCE, AND OTHER HAZARDS PECULIAR TO 
13 
THE PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT; AND 
14 
(2) 
THAT 
THE 
AGGREGATE 
AMOUNT 
OF 
15 
ALLOWANCE TO BE GIVEN TO SAID TEACHERS SHALL 
16 
NOT BE LESS THAN TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THEIR 
17 
TOTAL BASIC PAY SALARY FOR THE YEAR. 
18 
Sec. 21.  Section 13 is hereby renumbered as Section 22 and amended to read 
19 
as follows: 
20 
Section 22.  Teaching Hours. – NO TEACHER ENGAGED IN 
21 
ACTUAL 
CLASSROOM 
INSTRUCTION 
SHALL 
BE 
22 
REQUIRED TO RENDER MORE THAN FOUR hours of 
23 
actual classroom teaching a day, which shall be so scheduled as 
24 
to give him OR HER time for the preparation and correction of 
25 
exercises and other work incidental to his OR HER normal 
26 
teaching duties: Provided, however, That where the exigencies of 
27 
the service so require, a teacher may be required to render more 
28 
than FOUR hours but not exceeding eight hours of actual 
29 
classroom teaching a day upon payment of additional 
30 
compensation at the same rate as his OR HER regular 
31 


 
12
remuneration plus at least twenty-five per cent of his OR HER 
1 
basic pay. 
2 
Sec. 22. A new Section 23 is hereby inserted after the renumbered Section 22 
3 
to read as follows: 
4 
Section 23.  Assignment of Work Not Related to Teaching 
5 
Prohibited. – To prevent teachers from being overtaxed and to 
6 
enable them to focus on instruction and thus ensure the delivery 
7 
of quality education, no teacher shall be assigned work or 
8 
activities not related to teaching.  For this purpose, the 
9 
department shall fill up all non-teaching positions and, with the 
10 
department of budget and management, endeavor to meet ideal 
11 
ratios between teaching and non-teaching positions. 
12 
Sec. 23.   A new Section 24 is hereby inserted after Section 23 to read as 
13 
follows: 
14 
Section 24.  Substitute Teachers. – When an incumbent teacher 
15 
is on maternity, paternity, parental, study, or extended leave, 
16 
the Department shall hire a temporary replacement for the 
17 
duration of the incumbent teacher’s leave.  A substitute must be 
18 
qualified for at least temporary appointment. 
19 
Sec. 24.   Section 14 is hereby renumbered as Section 25 and amended to read 
20 
as follows: 
21 
Section 25.  Additional Compensation. – Notwithstanding any 
22 
provision of existing law to the contrary, co-curricular and out-
23 
of-school activities and any other activities outside of what is 
24 
defined as normal duties of any teacher shall be paid an 
25 
additional compensation of at least twenty-five per cent of his 
26 
OR HER regular remuneration after the teacher has completed 
27 
at least FOUR hours of actual classroom teaching a day. 
28 
In the case of other teachers or school officials not engaged in 
29 
actual classroom instruction, any work performed in excess of 
30 


 
13
eight hours a day shall be paid an additional compensation of at 
1 
least twenty-five per cent of their regular remuneration. 
2 
The agencies utilizing the services of teachers shall pay the 
3 
additional compensation required under this Section.   The 
4 
SECRETARY OF EDUCATION shall refuse to allow the 
5 
rendition of services of teachers for other government agencies 
6 
without the assurance that the teachers shall be paid the 
7 
remuneration provided for under this Section. 
8 
THIS SECTION SHALL BE WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO 
9 
LAWS 
AND 
RULES 
PROVIDING 
FOR 
HIGHER 
10 
COMPENSATION OR FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE OF 
11 
TEACHERS. 
12 
Sec. 25.  A new Section 26 is hereby inserted after the renumbered Section 25 
13 
to read as follows: 
14 
Section 26.  Conducive Working Conditions Ensured. – The State 
15 
shall ensure that public school teachers have humane working 
16 
conditions in their places of assignment.  For this purpose, the 
17 
Department shall provide and maintain adequate space, 
18 
ventilation, lighting, and security conditions in public schools to 
19 
foster a conducive environment for teaching and learning. 
20 
Sec. 26. A new Section 27 is hereby inserted after Section 26 to read as follows: 
21 
Section 27.  No Understaffing and Overloading of Teachers. – 
22 
There shall no understaffing and overloading of public school 
23 
teachers. Teacher-to-student ratios shall be such as to reasonably 
24 
effect sustained delivery of quality education at all times 
25 
without 
overworking 
the 
public 
school 
teacher 
and 
26 
overextending his or her duty and service. 
27 
Sec. 27.   A new Section 28 is hereby inserted after Section 27 to read as 
28 
follows: 
29 
Section 28.  Protection from Unregulated Class Sizes. – 
30 
Teachers are entitled to protection from unmanageable class 
31 


 
14
sizes as well as to compensation commensurate to their actual 
1 
workload.  To this end, the Department shall determine the 
2 
standard class sizes for each grade level in accordance with 
3 
international norms and the corresponding honorarium for 
4 
teachers handling large classes. 
5 
Sec. 28.  A new Section 29 is hereby inserted after Section 28 to read as 
6 
follows: 
7 
Section 29.  Teacher Protection. – The Department shall 
8 
institutionalize support mechanisms and protection for public 
9 
school teachers in matters of student discipline or classroom 
10 
management, to the end of fostering a positive school climate 
11 
and safe environment conducive to instruction and learning and 
12 
permissible, 
appropriate, 
and 
effective 
responses 
and 
13 
interventions that will address violation of school rules and 
14 
regulations.  To this end, the Department, in consultation with 
15 
public school teachers, shall promulgate rules on the rights and 
16 
responsibilities of teachers; permissible, appropriate, and 
17 
effective responses and interventions that will address violation 
18 
of school rules and regulations; among others. 
19 
Any act committed by a teacher pursuant to the disciplinary 
20 
rules and procedures issued by the department shall not be 
21 
deemed as child abuse, cruelty, or exploitation as defined in 
22 
Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children against 
23 
Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. 
24 
Sec. 29. Section 22 is hereby renumbered as Section 30 and amended to read 
25 
as follows: 
26 
Section 30.  FREE Medical Examination and Treatment. – 
27 
Compulsory medical examination shall be provided free of 
28 
charge for all teachers before they take up teaching, and shall be 
29 
repeated not less than once a year during the teacher’s 
30 
professional life.  Where medical examination, INCLUDING 
31 


 
15
MENTAL HEALTH EXAMINATION, shows that medical 
1 
treatment and/or hospitalization is necessary, the same shall be 
2 
provided free by the government [entity paying the salary of the 
3 
teachers]. 
4 
In regions where there is scarcity of medical facilities, teachers 
5 
may obtain elsewhere the necessary medical care with the right 
6 
to be reimbursed for their traveling expenses by the government 
7 
[entity concerned in the first paragraph of this Section]. 
8 
Sec. 30. Section 23 is hereby renumbered as Section 31. 
9 
SEC. 31. Section 24 is hereby renumbered as Section 32 and amended to read 
10 
as follows: 
11 
Section 32.  Study Leave. – In addition to the leave privileges 
12 
now enjoyed by teachers in [the] public schools, they shall be 
13 
entitled to study leave not exceeding one school year after 
14 
THREE years of service.  [Such leave shall be granted in 
15 
accordance with a schedule set by the Department of 
16 
Education.]  During the period of such leave, the teachers shall 
17 
be entitled to at least EIGHTY per cent of their monthly salary: 
18 
Provided, however, That no teacher shall be allowed to 
19 
accumulate more than one year study leave, unless he OR SHE 
20 
needs an additional semester to finish his OR HER thesis for a 
21 
graduate study in education or allied courses: Provided, further, 
22 
That no compensation shall be due the teacher after the first 
23 
year of such leave.  In all cases, the study leave period shall be 
24 
counted for seniority and pension purposes. 
25 
The compensation allowed for one year study leave as herein 
26 
provided shall be subject to the condition that the teacher takes 
27 
the regular study load and passes at least seventy-five per cent 
28 
of his OR HER courses.  Study leave of more than one year may 
29 
be permitted by the Secretary of Education but without 
30 
compensation. 
31 


 
16
Sec. 32.  Section 25 is hereby renumbered as Section 33 and amended to read 
1 
as follows: 
2 
Section 33.  Indefinite SICK Leave. – An indefinite sick leave of 
3 
a 
absence shall be granted to teachers when the nature of 
4 
the illness demands a long treatment that will exceed one year 
5 
at the least. 
6 
Sec. 33.  Section 26 is hereby renumbered as Section 34. 
7 
Sec. 34. Section 27 is hereby renumbered as Section 35. 
8 
Sec. 35. Section 28 is hereby renumbered as Section 36 and amended to read 
9 
as follows: 
10 
Section 36.  Discrimination Against Teachers Prohibited. – The 
11 
rights established in the immediately preceding Section shall be 
12 
exercised without any interference or coercion.  It shall be 
13 
unlawful for any person to commit any acts of discrimination 
14 
against teachers which are calculated to (a) make the 
15 
employment of a teacher subject to the condition that he OR 
16 
SHE shall not join an organization, or shall relinquish 
17 
membership in an organization, (b) to cause the dismissal of or 
18 
otherwise prejudice a teacher by reason of his OR HER 
19 
membership in an organization or because of participation in its 
20 
activities [outside school hours, or with the consent of the 
21 
proper school authorities, within school hours],  and (c) to 
22 
prevent him OR HER from carrying out the duties laid upon 
23 
him OR HER by his OR HER position in the organization, or to 
24 
penalize him OR HER for an action undertaken in that capacity. 
25 
Sec. 36.  Section 29 is hereby renumbered as Section 37 and amended to read 
26 
as follows: 
27 
Section 37.  [National] Teachers’ Organizations. – National 
28 
teachers’ organizations shall be consulted in the formulation of 
29 
national educational policies and professional standards, and in 
30 


 
17
the formulation of national policies governing the social security 
1 
of the teachers. 
2 
UNIONS OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS WHICH ARE 
3 
GRANTED THE STATUS AS SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE 
4 
NEGOTIATING AGENT (SENA) SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT 
5 
TO REPRESENT ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS IN 
6 
THEIR 
RESPECTIVE 
NEGOTIATING 
UNITS 
IN 
7 
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT FOR TERMS 
8 
AND 
CONDITIONS 
OF 
EMPLOYMENT 
OR 
9 
IMPROVEMENTS THEREOF, EXCEPT THOSE THAT ARE 
10 
FIXED BY LAW.  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT, THE 
11 
SENA REFERS TO ANY REGISTERED EMPLOYEES’ 
12 
ORGANIZATION WHICH HAS BEEN ACCREDITED BY 
13 
THE 
CIVIL 
SERVICE 
COMMISSION 
AS 
THE 
14 
NEGOTIATING 
AGENT 
OF 
ALL 
PUBLIC 
SCHOOL 
15 
TEACHERS IN A GIVEN NEGOTIATING UNIT, IN 
16 
ACCORDANCE WITH ITS PERTINENT RULES AND 
17 
REGULATIONS. 
18 
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ACCORD THE SENA, AS 
19 
WELL AS ITS OFFICERS AND MEMBERS, ALL RIGHTS 
20 
AND BENEFITS NECESSARY AND PERTINENT TO THE 
21 
PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS, SUCH 
22 
AS REPRESENTATION OF TEACHERS IN ALL BODIES 
23 
FOR POLICY MAKING AND TRIBUNALS FOR THE 
24 
DISCIPLINE OF TEACHERS, AMONG OTHERS. 
25 
Sec. 37. A new Section 38 is hereby inserted after the renumbered Section 37 
26 
to read as follows: 
27 
Section 38.  Rights and Benefits of Teachers under Other Laws. 
28 
– A teacher shall be accorded rights and benefits under other 
29 
laws and rules on labor standards and relations, social security, 
30 
among others, including but not limited to Republic Act 9710 or 
31 
“The Magna Carta of Women,” Republic Act 9262 or the “Anti-
32 


 
18
Violence against Women and their Children Act,” and Republic 
1 
Act 8792 or the “Solo Parents’ Welfare Act of 2000,” as they are 
2 
applicable. 
3 
Sec. 38. Section 30 is hereby renumbered as Section 39 and amended to read 
4 
as follows: 
5 
Section 39.  Rules and Regulations. – THE DEPARTMENT, IN 
6 
CONSULTATION WITH UNIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS 
7 
OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS, shall formulate and 
8 
prepare the necessary rules and regulations to implement the 
9 
provisions of this Act within sixty days after its effective date.  
10 
Rules and regulations issued pursuant to this Section shall take 
11 
effect thirty days after publication in a newspaper of general 
12 
circulation and by such other means as the Secretary of 
13 
Education deems reasonably sufficient to give interested parties 
14 
general notice of such issuance. 
15 
Sec. 39.  Section 31 is hereby renumbered as Section 40 and amended to read 
16 
as follows: 
17 
Section 40.  Budgetary Estimates. – The Secretary of Education 
18 
shall submit to Congress annually the necessary budgetary 
19 
estimates to implement the provisions of the Act concerning the 
20 
MONETARY AND NON-MONETARY benefits herein granted 
21 
to public school teachers under the employ of the National 
22 
Government.  THE DUTY TO PRESENT THE ANNUAL 
23 
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BENEFITS UNDER 
24 
THIS 
ACT 
SHALL 
BE 
DISTINCT 
FROM 
THE 
25 
PRESENTATION OF THE BUDGET OF THE DEPARTMENT 
26 
AND THUS MAY BE FULFILLED DURING OR BEFORE 
27 
THE DELIBERATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL GENERAL 
28 
APPROPRIATIONS. 
29 
Sec. 40. Section 32 is hereby renumbered as Section 41 and amended to read 
30 
as follows: 
 
31 


 
19
Section 41.  Penal Provision. – A person who shall willfully 
1 
interfere with, restrain, or coerce any teacher in the exercise of 
2 
his OR HER rights OR THE RIGHTS OF TEACHERS’ 
3 
UNIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS guaranteed by this Act, or 
4 
who shall in any other manner commit any act to defeat any of 
5 
the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by 
6 
IMPRISONMENT OF NOT LESS THAN SIX MONTHS, OR a 
7 
fine of not less than ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS 
8 
BUT NOT MORE THAN TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND 
9 
PESOS, OR BOTH, at the discretion of the court. 
10 
If the offender is a public official, the court shall order his or her 
11 
dismissal WITH PERPETUAL DISQUALIFICATION from 
12 
government service.  THIS PROVISION SHALL COVER THE 
13 
ISSUANCE OF RULES CONTRARY TO THIS ACT OR 
14 
WHICH LEAD TO THE DEFEAT OR DIMINUTION OF 
15 
RIGHTS AND BENEFITS PROVIDED HEREIN. 
16 
THE LIABILITIES UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE 
17 
WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO CIVIL AND ADMINISTRATIVE 
18 
LIABILITIES AND OTHER PENAL LIABILITIES UNDER 
19 
OTHER APPROPRIATE LAWS. 
20 
Sec. 42.  Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is 
21 
held unconstitutional, all other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to be 
22 
in full force and effect. 
23 
Sec. 43. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, rules and regulations, and other 
24 
issuances inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
25 
Sec. 44.  Effective Date. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
26 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
27 
 
Approved,