NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
S. No.
)
SENATE
1445
of tijo ;&mftnr2>
*22 NOV-2 Pim
RECEIVED BV.
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
DECLARING THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF MAY OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL 
WORKING HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL EDUCATION 
SUPPORT PERSONNEL DAY
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 1994, the United Nations Educationai, Scientific and Cultural Organization 
(UNESCO) deciared October 5 of every year as the Worid Teachers' Day to ceiebrate 
the cruciai role of teachers in molding young minds and imparting quaiity education 
to the iearners. It is also an occasion to reflect on the support that they need to 
enable them to perform their profession more effectively.
The education system is a holistic one that is comprised not oniy by teachers, 
but also by personnel who are not engaged in classroom teaching. These personnel 
are tasked with providing administrative support, and among them are the teaching 
assistants, registrars, iibrarians, guidance counselors and medical staff. While they 
are not directly involved in the formal teaching of students, they help the teachers 
perform their duties by relieving them of administrative and clerical task. To enable 
the students reap the full benefits of education, they aiso provide services that wili 
help realize the hoiistic development of the children.


However, the personnel who provide support to the education system 
continues to remain in the background, often unrecognized and unthanked. The 
Education International (El), the Global Union Federation of organizations of 
teachers and other education employees from different parts of the world stated 
that, "Education Support Personnel (ESP) have always been critical to positive and 
safe learning environments and to making sure that education institutions function 
effectiveiy, however, even inside education systems their contributions have not 
always been fully appreciated. Too often, they do not have access to quality training 
and career development and aren't consulted on issues that impact their profession." 
It further stated that, "many ESP remained overworked and underpaid. Some had 
little or no job security and had precarious contracts. In some countries, they were 
laid off without compensation during school and university closures."
In response to this, El designated May 16 of every year as the World 
Education Support Personnel Day to recognize the invaluable role of ESP all over the 
globe. The celebration focuses on the status and rights of ESP and their special 
contribution to the education system especiaily in the midst of the COVID-19 
pandemic.
The advocacies of El are shared by various organizations in the Philippines. 
Among their members in the Philippines are Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), 
Federation of Free Workers - Trade Federation VIII (FFW), National Alliance of 
Teachers and Office Workers (SMP-NATOW), Philippine Public School Teachers' 
Association (PPSTA), and Teachers' Organisation of the Philippine Pubiic Sector 
(TOPSS).
In the Philippines, support personnel are known as non-teaching personnel 
and other teaching-related personnel. The former is defined under Republic Act No. 
11713 or the "Excellence in Teacher Education Act" as "those who perform teaching- 
related functions as guidance counselors and librarians, and other personnel to be 
determined by the (Teacher Education) Council".


The "National Education Support Personnel Day Act" seeks to designate May 
16 of every year as a special working holiday in the honor of education support 
personnel. Such celebration will enable the communities to celebrate and value their 
important role and more importantly, highlight the government's duty to take 
concrete steps to promote and protect their status, rights, and conditions of service.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is highly 
recommended.
INGCSOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
Senate
of tlje
72 NOV “2 P2:08
S. No.
SENATE
1445
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
DECLARING THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF MAY OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL 
WORKING HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL EDUCATION 
SUPPORT PERSONNEL DAY
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the '‘'National Education
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Support Personnel Day Act'.
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Sec. 2. Definition of Education Support Personnel. - As used in this Act, the
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term "education support personnel" refers to those persons employed by a school as
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teaching assistants, clerks, registrars, librarians, nurses, doctors, guidance
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counselors and psychologists, and the rest of professional, administrative, technical,
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and general staff who provide support to students and teaching personnel.
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Sec. 3. National Education Support Personnel Day. - In recognition of the
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observance of World Education Support Personnel Day, the sixteenth (16th) day of
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May of every year is hereby declared a special working holiday to be known as the
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National Education Support Personnel Day.
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To ensure the meaningful observance and celebration of this day, the heads
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of national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations
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involved in education, local government units, and employers in the private sector
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involved in education, are encouraged to allow their respective personnel to


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participate in any related activity to be held within the premises of their respective 
offices or establishments.
Sec. 4. Lead Agencies. — The Department of Education and the Commission 
on Higher Education shall serve as the lead agencies in the preparation and 
implementation of the annual program of activities for the observance of the 
National Education Support Personnel Day.
Sec. 5. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,