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

Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

House Bill No.__1265.

introduced by Honorable Roy M. Loyola

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Public school teachers play an indispensable role in shaping the nation's future
and ensuring quality education for all Filipinos. The 1987 Philippine Constitution
underscores this in Article XIV, Section 5(5), which mandates that the State shall
assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching will attract
and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate
remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.

Further, Section 15 of the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (RA 4670)
guarantees that public school teachers’ salaries shall (1) compare favorably with those
in other occupations requiring equivalent or similar qualifications and (2) be sufficient
to ensure a reasonable standard of life for themselves and their families.

Currently, the entry-level salary for public school teachers remains at Salary
Grade 11 or ®20,754.00 per month. After tax and deductions, a teacher supporting a
family of four is left with roughly P19,000.00—an amount significantly below the
25,252.00 family living wage estimated in the National Capital Region as of 2022.
This wage gap has resulted in demoralization, forcing many Filipino educators to seek
better-paying jobs abroad, often unrelated to their profession.

This bill proposes to upgrade the minimum salary grade of public school
teachers from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15, as a necessary step toward
recognizing the value of their work, attracting highly qualified individuals to the
profession, and retaining the country’s best teachers in public service. It is a long-
overdue measure that affirms our teachers’ dignity and helps secure a brighter future
for the nation.

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

OY M. LOYOLA
RepreSentative
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.__1265_

Introduced by Honorable Roy M. Loyola

AN ACT
INCREASING THE SALARY GRADE OF PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM
SALARY GRADE 11 TO SALARY GRADE 15 AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR

&e it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as “The Public School
Teachers’ Salary Upgrading Act.””

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to ensure that
education receives the highest priority in governance, and that teaching will attract
and retain its rightful share of the best available talent through adequate remuneration
and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.

SEC. 3. Increase in the Minimum Salary Grade Level. — The salary grade
level of public school teachers in the elementary and secondary schools shall be
upgraded from Salary Grade 11 to Salary Grade 15: Provided, however, That the
salary upgrading shall be differentiated in accordance with the qualification and length
of service rendered by teachers and shall not be prejudiced by across-the-board
adjustments.

SEC. 4. Coverage. — This Act shall cover all public school teachers in the
elementary and secondary level, whether nationally or locally funded, including those
in technical and vocational schools and state universities and colleges.


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SEC. 5. Priority Budget Allocation. — The Government shall appropriate
such amount as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act: Provided,
That the salary increase of public school teachers shall take priority over non-
educational and non-agricultural budgetary allocations.

SEC. 6. Budget Required. - The Department of Education (DepEd) shall
come up with a specific programmed budget needed to cover the expenses for the
upgrading in salary levels for the corresponding teacher plantilla positions for a period
of at least five (5) years to allow the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
to make the necessary budgetary adjustments to facilitate the smooth implementation
of this Act.

SEC. 7. Appropriation. — The source of initial funding required for the
implementation of this Act shall be determined by the Department of Budget and
Management (DBM), and subsequent funds shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act for the year following the implementation of this Act.

SEC. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days
from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Education (DepEd), in coordination
with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 9. Monitoring and Evaluation. — The DepEd shall establish a
mechanism to monitor and evaluate the implementation of this Act, including its
effects on teacher retention, performance, and educational outcomes, and shall submit
an annual report to Congress.

SEC. 10. Non-Diminution of Benefits. — Nothing in this Act shall be
construed to diminish or reduce any existing benefits and privileges granted to public
school teachers under existing laws, decrees, executive orders, or any contract or
agreement.

SEC. 11. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected thereby shall remain
in full force and effect.


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SEC, 12. Penal Clause. — Any official or employee who knowingly delays or
refuses the implementation of the salary upgrading provided under this Act without
justifiable cause shall be subject to appropriate administrative, civil, and/or criminal
sanctions under existing laws.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. — A\l decrees, executive orders, and other
administrative issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of
this Act, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 14. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,