Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2579 
Introduced by HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PROVISION OF A HEALTH MAINTENANCE 
ORGANIZATION (HMO) SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND 
OTHER NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Article XIV, Section 5 of the 1987 Constitution mandates that the State shall “assign 
the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that teaching will attract and 
retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration and 
other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment”. Health benefits are a crucial part of this 
equation. Indeed, a healthy education workforce, including both teaching and non-
teaching personnel, can better perform their role in developing the minds of the youth—
who are the future of our country.  
According to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) latest report during the 
budget deliberations for FY 2025, there are approximately 910,434 teachers in the 
public school system1, responsible for educating around 20 million students2. This 
staggering teacher-to-student ratio places immense strain on our teachers, but it is 
only one of many challenges they face. Supporting these teachers are thousands of 
non-teaching personnel, such administrative officers and project development officers, 
who ensure that schools operate smoothly and efficiently. Both sectors face numerous 
challenges, including the rising costs of adequate healthcare. 
Among the most pressing issues is the insufficient healthcare support made 
available to them. At present, public school teachers do not have the usual paid sick 
leave benefits enjoyed by other professionals. Thus, when they fall ill, they are faced 
1 Chi, C. (2024, September 10). DepEd exodus: 'Thousands' of teachers quitting yearly. Philippine Star. 
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2024/09/10/2384274/deped-exodus-thousands-teachers-quitting-yearly 
2 Locus, S. (2024, August 2). DepEd: Over 23M students enrolled for SY 2024-2025. GMA Integrated News. 
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/915988/deped-over-23-8-million-have-so-far-enrolled/story/ 
July 30, 2025
8:08 am


with a difficult choice: either report to work despite their condition, potentially worsening 
their health, or take an unpaid sick leave, which can strain their finances and limit their 
ability to afford necessary medical care. This is an unjust dilemma no teacher should 
have to endure. 
To respond to this pressing issue, DepEd issued Order No. 016, series of 2025 on 
June 9, 2025, or the Guidelines on the Grant of Medical Allowance to the Department 
of Education Personnel. Under this Order, all eligible DepEd teaching and non-
teaching personnel are authorized to receive medical allowance of up to P7,000 per 
annum as a subsidy for availing Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) benefits. 
This effort by the Department sets a strong foundation which we aim to strengthen 
further through the passage of this measure. 
The proposed bill seeks to institutionalize DepEd Order No. 016, which would 
provide all DepEd personnel with accessible health care services. In so doing, the bill 
also promotes preventive healthcare, which would enable these teachers and 
government workers to maintain their well-being before health concerns become 
severe or life-threatening. Most importantly, in the long run, healthier and happier 
educators mean higher-quality education and better learning environments for all our 
students. 
In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought. 
 BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
       Representative 
    2nd District of Parañaque 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2579 
Introduced by HON. BRIAN RAYMUND S. YAMSUAN 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTIONALIZING THE PROVISION OF A HEALTH MAINTENANCE 
ORGANIZATION (HMO) SYSTEM FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND 
OTHER NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, 
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “HMO for DepEd 
Personnel.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the vital role of civil 
service employees in nation building. As an important component of the public sector, 
the State shall ensure that public school teacher and other non-teaching personnel of 
the Department of Education have access to quality and affordable health care. The 
government shall provide them access to comprehensive, quality, cost-effective, 
preventive, and rehabilitative health services. 
SECTION 3. Qualified Beneficiaries. — This Act shall cover all teaching and non-
teaching personnel in all levels under the Department of Education (DepEd), whether 
appointed on a permanent, co-terminus, fixed-term, casual, or contractual basis, who 
have rendered services for at least an aggregate of six (6) months in a particular fiscal 
year, including leaves of absence with pay, and services rendered under any 
alternative work arrangements prescribed by the Civil Service Commission. 
SECTION 4. Selection of Health Maintenance Organization. — The DepEd shall, in 
accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 12009, otherwise known as the 


 
New Government Procurement Act, procure a contract with a HMO that shall be able 
to provide healthcare services to its personnel. 
 
SECTION 5. Coverage. — Each qualified beneficiary shall receive an annual medical 
allowance in an amount not exceeding Seven Thousand Pesos as a subsidy for the 
availment of HMO.  
 
SECTION 6. Mandatory Review. — The medical allowance amount is subject to 
mandatory review every three (3) years by the DepEd with the primary objective of 
ensuring that the amount is sufficient and reflective of current market prices. 
 
SECTION 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Act shall be charged against the appropriations of the DepEd of the year following its 
enactment into law. Thereafter, sums necessary for the continued implementation of 
this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The DepEd, in consultation 
with relevant government agencies, shall promulgate the implementing rules and 
regulations within six (6) months from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SECTION 9. Repealing Clause.— All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with any provision of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, 
superseded, or amended accordingly. 
 
SECTION 10. Separability Clause.— If any provision of this Act or the application of 
such provision to any person or circumstance is held invalid for any reason, the 
remainder of this Act or the application of such provision to other persons or 
circumstances shall not be affected thereby. 
 
SECTION 11. Effectivity.—This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of general 
circulation, whichever comes earlier. 
 
Approved,