Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

H.B.No,_329

Introduced by HONORABLE JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Public school teachers are among the most underpaid workers in our society. Despite
the fact that they are heralded as molders of our children’s futures, public school teachers
receive only less than ten thousand a month each for their basic salary. The teachers are
considered to be the heart of the educational system. Hence, the government needs to give
priority to their interests and welfare.

The low salaries received by our public school teachers have been a major disincentive
for them to improve their skills in teaching and pursue further education and training. In addition,
the public schools have failed to attract the best and the brightest students from the top colleges
and universities because of the low salary levels, preventing our public education system from
benefiting from the knowledge and expertise of qualified teachers.

Studies show that most of the teachers have net take home pay of less than five
thousand pesos because of so many deductions from their loans with private lending
institutions. In addition to this, there are usual deductions made such as the Government
Service Insurance Premiums, withholding taxes, PHILHEALTH contributions. Hence, the
teacher brings home only a meager amount of salary, which in most cases is unable to meet the
high cost of living today.

The Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM) recommended in 1991 to
upgrade the minimum salary levels of teachers from Grade 10 to 17. However, since this
proposal was made ten years ago, there is a need to make this salary increase more relevant
given the increase in the cost of living today. In this regard, there is a need to upgrade the
minimum salary grade level of teachers from salary grade 10 to 19, which corresponds to
almost six thousand pesos increase in their monthly basic salaries. With this increase in
salaries, more qualified and competent educators will be attracted to teach in public schools.
Definitely, this will greatly help motivate our teachers to strive for excellence in their field and
improve the quality of education in the public schools.

For the above-mentioned reasons, approval of this bill is earnestly urged

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JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA
Representative
Lone District, Province of Aurora


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_)
First Regular Session )

39

H. B. No.

Introduced by Honorable JUAN EDGARDO “SONNY” M. ANGARA

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF TEACHERS FROM
SALARY GRADE 10 TO 19

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Increase in the Minimum Salary Grade Level. The present minimum
salary grade level of public school teachers in the elementary and secondary schools shall be
upgraded from Grade 10 to Grade 19; Provided however that the salary upgrading shall be
differentiated in accordance with the qualifications and length of service rendered by teachers
and shall not be prejudice by across the board salary adjustments

SEC. 2. Priority in Budget Allocation. The National 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 other non-educational and non-
agricultural budgetary allocations.

SEC. 3. 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
all the corresponding teacher plantilla positions for a period of at least five years to allow the
Department of Budget and Management to make the necessary budgetary adjustments to
facilitate the smooth implementation of this Act.

SEC. 4. Inclusion in Appropriations Act. The amount necessary to implement the
provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for the year following
the approval of this Act

SEC. 5. Rules and Regulations. The Department of Education (DepED) and the
Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, including rules and
regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed and/or modified accordingly.


SEC. 7. Separability Clause. \f any part or provision of this Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue
to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect in fifteen (75) days following publication in
one (1) national newspaper of general circulation

Approved,