Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1835

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

There is a constant and pressing need to improve the status of our education
sector. Recently, the State has undertaken aggressive steps in pursuit of an
education sector that is at par with the rest of the world. For instance, we have
adopted the K-12 program to ensure job-ready and internationally competent
graduates. We have also synced our academic calendar with that of the international
community's. Currently, bills proposing to increase the salary of our public school
teachers are now pending in both Houses, as well as measures to set a fixed number
of students per public classroom for easier class management and a more conducive
learning environment.

This Representation now invites us to pay attention on an equally important,
but often neglected aspect of education - the holistic well-being of our teachers
Teachers serve as the second parents of our children. They do not only impart
academic lessons; they supervise the social interactions of our children, ingrain
traditional Filipino values in our youth, and influence their character development.

The unfortunate truth is that teachers in our jurisdiction are often underpaid and
overworked, potentially contributing to high levels of stress, burnout, and even
depression. Additionally, stress has physical manifestations such as high blood
pressure, heart disease, ulcer, stroke, migraine, inflammation, arthritis, irritable bowel
syndrome, low immunity, skin problems, headaches, back pain, and joint problems
that can all be attributed - either directly or indirectly — to the stress hormone cortisol.

The Philippines has not conducted a comprehensive survey on the mental
wellness of our teachers. The absence of localized data prevents us from effectively
addressing this issue. Hence, this bill proposes the immediate conduct of a five-year
pilot study that looks extensively into the well-being of our teachers. From the results
of such study, the Department of Health (DOH) is mandated to up with innovative
solutions to teachers’ stress. These may include programs on workplace wellness,
social emotional learning, and stress management, among others.


We cannot expect unhappy, stressed, and professionally dissatisfied teachers
to provide a responsive, caring, and conducive learning environment to our children.
The State must undertake necessary steps to ensure that its youth are in safe hands.
In consideration of the foregoing premises, the swift passage of this bill is humbly
sought.

LUIS ‘MU . VILLAFUERTE, JR.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 1895

Introduced by HONORABLE LUIS RAYMUND F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.

AN ACT
PROMOTING TEACHER HEALTH AND WELLNESS BY REQUIRING THE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) TO CARRY OUT A STUDY TO ADD TO THE
SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE ON REDUCING TEACHER STRESS AND

INCREASING TEACHER RETENTION AND WELL-BEING, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.

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

CHAPTER |
GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known and cited as the "Teachers' Health
and Wellness Act".

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State avows to promote the rights and
welfare of its labor force, and to exercise sufficient powers to safeguard their dignity,
health, and professional growth. The Constitution likewise provides that all citizens shall
have access to quality education. in this regard, the State is compelled to ensure that
its teachers are not only physically healthy, but also mentally sound to perform their
tasks as educators, and to meet the rigorous demands of class management.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a) Complementary Health Approach. —The term "complementary health approach"
includes integrative health care, adjunctive health care, and functional medicine.

b) Secretary. — The term refers to the Secretary of the Department of Health
(DOH); and

c) Teachers. — The term refers to those publicly or privately employed to teach at
least one subject in primary, secondary, tertiary, post-graduate or vocational
school.


SECTION 4. Mandate of the Law. — The State seeks to understand the current mental
condition of our teachers and come up with measures to ensure that they are in optimal
physical and mental health to provide quality education to our youth. The State also
endeavors to maintain a classroom environment that is safe and most conducive to
students’ learning and the teachers’ professional growth.

In this regard, the Department of Health (DOH) shall conduct a five-year pilot study
that will add to the scientific knowledge on reducing teacher stress, teacher tumover
rate, and improving their overall well-being. The study must include’ national survey
by the DOH to determine the stress level of teachers, and their common stressors.

The Teacher Health and Wellness Act also supports:

|) Mentoring and induction programs during the school year and teacher preservice
that improve teacher well-being;

2) Organizational interventions such as principal training programs that reduce
stress through supervisor/peer support and increasing opportunities for teachers
to participate in professional learning communities, teacher leadership positions
and decision-making regarding school interventions and management;

3) Teacher residency programs that provide mental health and psychological
support;

4) Complementary health approaches, such as mindfulness meditation, that
improve teacher performance;

5) Schoo! reorganization that creates the conditions to facilitate the transmission
and sharing of knowledge among teachers; and

6) Other innovative evidence-based approaches that reduce stress and increase

well-being in the teaching profession, which may include increased
compensation.

SECTION 5. Appropriations. — Ten million pesos (PhP 10,000,000.00) is hereby
allotted from the budget of the Department of Education (DepEd) every year for the first
five (5) years of its implementation.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. If, for any reason, any provision of this Act is declared

unconstitutional or invalid, such parts or portions not affected thereby shall remain in
full force and effect.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees,
issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this
Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,