Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. _7905

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
CREATING PLANTILLA POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION FOR VOLUNTEER TEACHERS WITH AT LEAST FIVE (5)
YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

To augment the shortage of teachers in our public school system, volunteer teachers are hired on
a temporary basis. They volunteer their services to gain experience but may apply for a full-time
post in case of a vacancy.' A plantilla position, however, is never guaranteed and volunteer
teachers may wait a long time before they are regularized.

For their services, volunteer teachers get a meager monthly allowance which is barely enough to
compensate for their services and to sustain the needs of their families. While mobile teachers are
given a monthly transportation allowance, this is often not enough for the daily commute to the
remote rural areas where the children who need the education are located.” Despite these,
thousands still apply as volunteer teachers to serve their communities and educate our youth.

This bill thus seeks to create plantilla positions in our public school systems for qualified volunteer
teachers who have rendered at least three (3) years of continuous service and appropriating funds
therefor. The State shall recognize the importance of education in nation-builiding and the vital
role of teachers in teaching and guiding the youth into being productive members of society.
‘Teachers, who practice the most noble profession, must be given the value they deserve for their
services.

" Jeanette 1. Andrade, “DepEd allows conditional hiring of ‘volunteer’ teachers for kindergarten,” Inquirer.net, July
12, 2014, http://newsinfo. inquirer. net/619 106/deped-allows-conditional-hiring-of-volunteer-teachers-for-
kindergarten

? Mer Layson, “Volunteer teachers, may dagdag allowance,” Pilipino Star Ngayon, June 11, 2017,
hitps://www.philstar.com/pilipino-star-ngayon/bansa/2017/06/1 1/17090S2/volunteer-teachers-may-dagdag-
allowance


In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

‘RED VARGAS,


Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Third Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 7905

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
CREATING PLANTILLA POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION FOR VOLUNTEER TEACHERS WITH AT LEAST FIVE (5)
YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
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 “Plantilla Positions for Volunteer
Teachers”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policies. — Under the Constitution, it is among the express policy
of the State to give priority, among others, to education, to foster patriotism and nationalism,
accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.

Section 3. Plantilla Positions for Volunteer Teachers. ~The Department of Education is
hereby mandated to create plantilla teaching positions for volunteer teachers who have rendered
at least three (3) years of continuous service in the primary and secondary public school system in
the Philippines; Provided, That the volunteer must possess the appropriate qualifications and
submit the necessary requirements for civil service eligibility.

Section 4. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Education and the
Civil Service Commission shall, within ninety (90) days of the effectivity of this Act, formulate
and promulgate the rules and regulations for its effective implementation.

Section 5. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the effective implementation of
this Act shall be charged against the appropriations for the Department of Education under the
current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, such amount as may be necessary for the
continued implementation of this Act shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 6. Repealing Clause.— Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation, contrary to or inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.


Section 7. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,