HULSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
RECEIVED

DATE 2015

Tine:
ey:

Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE}
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
irst Regular Session

119

@retsT TON UNIT

HOUSE BILL NO. SMES (ND INDEX SERVICE

_ Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.
AN ACT UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF
TEACHERS FROM SALARY GRADE 11 TO 19

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 5 (5) of the 1987 Constitution expressly provides 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. "

The present plight of our teachers, especially those in the public schools,
however, betrays the best intention of the Constitution. Our teachers are not accorded
the due recognition and importance they deserve. They are unappreciated, overworked
and underpaid. Their salaries are insultingly low and with the high cost of living today, it
is no wonder that many of the best and the brightest in the teaching profession are now
teaching abroad or, worse, have migrated to work as caregivers or domestic helpers.

Public school teachers are among the most underpaid and/or overworked
professionals in our society. Despite the fact that they are looked upon and heralded as
molders of our the youth, public school teachers will receive a basic salary of
Php20,754.00 under the Fourth Tranche of the Salary Standardization Law 4 (SSL4), a
slight increase from Php18,549.00 they are previously receiving under SSL 3. Yet our
teachers are considered to be the prime movers of the education system.

If education is an essential key in the country’s global competitiveness, we should
raise the quality of education by elevating our teachers’ salary grade to a decent level
befitting their responsibility as shapers of the young Filipinos’ future. In doing so, we
would be able to attract and retain exceptional and dedicated teachers who will nurture
our children to become productive partners in nation-building.

To give meaning to the spirit and intent of the above mentioned constitutional
provision, there is an imperative and indispensable necessity to upgrade the salary
grade of our public school teachers.

In view thereof, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ANGELINA “H ” D.L. TAN, M.D.
4" District, Quezon



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Sessipy g

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by: Hon. Angelina “Helen” D.L. Tan, M.D.

AN ACT UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF
TEACHERS FROM SALARY GRADE 11 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 11 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 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. Appropriations. - 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 and the Department of
Budget and Management 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. - If 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,