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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _5868

Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This commendable bill had been filed in the past Congress and the present proponent
is acknowledging the wisdom and hard work of his predecessors.

In the Philippines, teachers both in public and private educational inst
severely underpaid. They look forward to being promoted because, aside from

of being effective and active in their chosen career, it would result in a raise in their salaries.
One way to be promoted is enhancing one’s skillset and mastery over a certain subject, thus,
many actively take up postgraduate studies.

Postgraduate education equips teachers with skills and knowledge that were not focused
on during their undergraduate studies. It enhances their employability, broadens their
intellectual interests, and gives them personal achievement.

It is the policy of the State to give priority to education. Considering the financial
incapability of majority of teachers to defray the cost of postgraduate education, the
government should provide an opportunity for advancement to teachers. In this regard, this bill
seeks to grant free post-graduate education to public and private school teachers in state
colleges and universities and local universities and colleges.

In view of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this measure is sought.

JOSEP! ERT F. VIOLAGO,


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

JETEENTH CONGRESS
‘rst Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _5868

Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago

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

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

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Free Post-Graduate Education for
Teachers Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State to promote
the professional growth of public and private school teachers. The State policy of promoting
and improving teachers’ terms of employment and career prospects in order that they may
compare favorably with existing opportunities in other walks of life and to attract and retain in
the teaching profession more people with the proper qualifications, it being recognized that
advance in education depends on the qualifications and ability of the teaching staff and that
education is an essential factor in the economic growth of the nation as a productive investment
of importance.

SECTION 3. Free post-graduate education in all State Colleges and Universities (SUCs)
and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs). ~ Tuition and miscellaneous fees shall not be
charged from teachers during their post-graduate studies.

SECTION 4. Coverage. — The right to free post-graduate studies shall be extended to teachers
in public and private schools.

SECTION 5. Eligibility. — Public and private school teachers must be active in the service and
have rendered at least two (2) consecutive years of teaching prior to the date of the application
of said grant. They must also they pass the entrance examination and other admission and
retention requirements of the SUCs and LUCs.

SECTION 6. Implementation. — ‘The Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on
Higher Education (CHED) shall be the implementing agencies for this Act and must, within
sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations necessary to ensure its efficient and effective implementation. For this purpose,
they are hereby mandated to consult teachers’ organizations and accredited teachers’ unions.


SECTION 7. Appropriations, — The amount necessary to carry out the initial implementation
of this Act shall be charged against the current year's appropriations of CHED, and the SUCs
and LUCS. Thereafter, the amount necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall
be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.

The Department of Budget and Management is mandated to include in the annual national
expenditure program the proposals of the SUCs and LUCs necessary for the grant of the free
post-graduate education provided under this Act.

SECTION 8. Separability Clause. — It, for any reason, any section ot provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue
to be in full force and effect.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. ~ Any laws, decrees, or rules and regulations which are
inconsistent with or contrary to the provisions of this Act are hereby amended or repealed.

SECTION 10. Effectivity Clause. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from the
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,