Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING A HEALTH CARE PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL 
TEACHERS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Our rock-bottom performance in the Programme for International 
Student Assessment (PISA) showed how low our high school students fared 
in reading comprehension, math, and science compared to students from 
other countries. 
In another report by the World Bank, the Philippines is now one of the 
countries with the highest rates of “learning poverty” in the East Asia and 
Pacific Region and among lower-middle income economies, with 90 percent of 
children with age 10 years old could not read.1 
This points to the urgent necessity to ensure that our educators are in 
the best possible physical and mental condition to attend to the educational 
needs of our students. While salary adjustment initiatives are underway, 
ensuring that they get the best health care possible might also prove to be a 
wise investment. 
The passage of the Universal Health Care Act and its subsequent 
expansion of coverage and funding is indeed commendable. However, pending 
its full implementation, this bill seeks to immediately address the healthcare 
woes of public school teachers by providing them with Healthcare 
Maintenance Organization (HMO) coverage. 
1 World Bank. 
August 24, 2022
8:00 am
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In the midst of an ongoing pandemic, a health care program for our 
noble teachers will not only promote public health, but will contribute to the 
willful safe return of students in schools. 
 
We must ensure the protection of health and wellbeing of our education 
sector. We have to invest in the health of our silent heroes who mold the minds 
of our children and our future: our teachers. 
 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
 
 
 
REP. PM VARGAS   
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING A HEALTH CARE PROGRAM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL 
TEACHERS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, 
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines 
in Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the “Health Care for 
Public School Teachers Act.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policies. – The State shall ensure our citizens’ 
access to quality and affordable health care.  In particular, it shall provide 
public school teachers with access to comprehensive, quality, cost-effective, 
preventive, and rehabilitative health services. 
SECTION 3. Coverage. – This Act shall cover all public school teachers under 
the Department of Education. 
SECTION 4. Healthcare Maintenance. The Department of Education shall, 
through competitive bidding which may be done nationally or regionally, 
procure a contract with a Healthcare Maintenance Organization which is duly 
recognized and accepted by hospitals all over the country.    
SECTION 5. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the immediate 
implementation of the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General 
Appropriations Act for the year following the approval of this Act. 
SECTION 6. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – The Secretary of the 
Department of Education shall formulate the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations (IRR) for the effective implementation of this Act within thirty (30) 
days from the effectivity of this Act. 
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SECTION 7. Separability Clause. – If any portion or provision of this Act 
shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining provisions not affected 
thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. – All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, 
including rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed 
and/or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 9. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,