Republic of the Philippines {/
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVEG
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 292

Introduced by Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Presidential Proclamation No. 55 mandates the celebration of National Volunteer Month in
December of every year. To supplement this initiative, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has
also ratified Republic Act 9418 on April 10, 2007 — also known as the “Volunteer Act of 2007” —
which institutionalized volunteerism as one of the strategies for national development.

Volunteers have played, and will continue to play, an important and valuable role in
education. They are the volunteer educators who freely share their knowledge, skills and talents
as they provide assistance in the education of students. A volunteer educator may be the pivotal
influence that sets the student on a course for a better future. A volunteer educator who reads to
a young child may be the spark that ignites a love of reading. A volunteer educator who teaches
skills, information and opportunities, can expand the classroom walls and prepares the learners
for a world of possibilities. More significantly, the presence of volunteer educators who portray
positive adult role models, sends an important message to learners — the value of caring for
others —- that in turn, can affect the learners’ attitudes toward education as well as their academic
outcomes.

Teaching may be the noblest profession; but for volunteer educators across the country, it
has failed to provide an adequate income to support their basic personal needs and live a life of
dignity worthy of emulation. They can be found rendering certain functions, just like the works of
regular educators, but are not similarly compensated as the latter. Whether in formal or
Alternative Learning (ALS) Centers, the contribution of these volunteer educators in the
attainment of our educational objectives cannot be underestimated. Their presence appease
those in dire need of a regular mentor. Today, with our country’s Education for All (EFA) drive,
they comprised a strong support system in delivering the educational initiatives in the institutions
or areas where they are needed. Since they are not under the plantilla of the Department of
Education or by a particular local government unit (LGU), a volunteer educator normally receives
only a meager allowance of approximately one thousand five hundred pesos (1,500.00 Php) per
month for their services, a chilling injustice to a noble deed, in fact, a far fetch to complement
“equal pay for equal work", which could hardly provide for the family needs considering the
present high cost of living. It indeed corresponds to an undue recognition of their nobility who,
despite of such meager amount, still persist in serving the community.

This bill seeks to create plantilla positions in the Department of Education for volunteer
educators with at least five (5) years continuous service in the Philippine public school system.

For the selfless service rendered by a volunteer educator, particularly one who is qualified
and possesses the appropriate eligibility and has continuously served as volunteer educator for at
least five (6) years, it is only proper that he is given a plantilla teaching position to secure
adequate source of livelinood

The creation of plantilla positions in the Department of Education for these qualified
volunteer educators will not only give them adequate income, but will also accord them the dignity
they truly deserve as practitioners of the noblest profession, thereby strengthening the spirit of
volunteerism as inherent goodness of the Filipino race.

In view of the above-mentioned considerations, approval of this bill is earnestly

recommended. Qn/

EULOGIO “AMANG” R. MAGSAYSAY


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —_—)
First Regular Session )

House of Representatives

599
House Bill No. 92

Introduced by Rep. Eulogio “Amang” R. Magsaysay

AN ACT
CREATING PLANTILLA POSITION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR
VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS WITH AT LEAST FIVE YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE
IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. The Department of Education is hereby mandated to create plantilla
teaching positions for volunteer educators with at least five (5) years of continuous service in
the public school system in the Philippines: Provided, That to be appointed in the plantilla
position created pursuant in this Act, the volunteer educator must conform with RA 7836,
otherwise known as the Professionalization of Teaching Act, meet the criteria for recruitment
and hiring of teachers set forth by the Department of Education and possess the appropriate
civil service eligibility requirements.

SECTION 2. The Department of Education in coordination with the Civil Service
Commission shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement this Act within ninety (90)
days after its effectivity

SECTION 3. 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 4. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least
two (2) national newspapers of general circulation

Approved,