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Republic of the Philippines Ze eee RE SEN N
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES //gy On
Quezon City, Metro Manila © RECEIVED 2

‘TEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BiLL No. 6959

Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 1, Article 14 of the Constitution states that “(T)he State shall protect and
promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate
steps to make such education accessible to all.”

Furthermore, Section 5, (5) of the same article also states that “(T)he 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 fulfilment.”

‘Teaching is a not just a profession; it is a vocation. It requires passion and dedication
This is true especially here in the Philippines where some teachers travel daily to different
cities, municipalities, and provinces, just to be able to teach in their assigned school. There
are even instances where teachers assigned to teach at remote areas traverse rivers, hills, and
even literally mountains rocky roads just to get to their classes.

Indeed, the passion of our teachers never to teach and mold the Filipino youth burns
bright despite the hardships they face. They always show up for their students knowing the
weight of their duty as teachers for the in shaping the future of our country.

Owing to the important role of teachers, it is therefore also vital that the national
government be able to adequately compensate teachers assigned to teach in a different city,
municipality, or province, from their place of residence for the expenses they incur and effort
they expend just to get to work. This is but a small token of our gratitude to our teachers for
fulfilling their duty as shapers of the future of the next generation of Filipinos.


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



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 6959

Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu

AN ACT
PROVIDING INCENTIVE ALLOWANCE TO PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS WHO
ARE ASSIGNED OUTSIDE OF THEIR CITIES, MUNICIPALITIES, AND
PROVINCES APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE, 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 "Distance Incentive
Allowance for Public School Teachers Act."

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It 1s the policy of the state to provide incentives to
Public school teachers who are assigned to teaching jobs outside of their respective cities,
municipalities, and provinces. As much as possible, public-school teachers shall be assigned
to the cities or municipalities of their residence.

SEC. 3. Assignment to Another Town Within the Same Province. - Any public-
school teacher who is assigned to a city, municipality, or province outside of the city,
municipality, or province of their place of residence, shall in addition to his basic salary and
benefits under the Salary Standardization Law, be entitled to Two Thousand (P2,000.00)
Pesos monthly as incentive allowance,

SEC. 4, Assignment to Another Province, - Any public-school teacher who is
assigned to a city or municipality of another province, other than their own, shall in addition


to their basic salary and benefits under the Salary Standardization Law be entitled to receive
Four Thousand (P4000.00) Pesos a month as incentive allowance.

SEC. 5. Transferees. - The provisions of this Act shall apply to any public-school
teacher who is officially transferred from their original assignment in accordance with the
lawful orders of their superiors.

SEC. 6. End of Benefit. - A public-school teacher who has received benefits under
this Act but is eventually transferred to their city or municipality of residence shall cease to
be entitled to the incentive allowance therein. The establishment of residence by a public-
school teacher in the city/municipality where they are assigned shall have the same effect as
being transferred to their own city/municipality as provided in the previous paragraph.

SEC. 7. Tax Exemption. - Incentive allowance received under the provisions of this
Act shall be exempt from tax liability.

SEC 8. Proof of Residence. - For purposes of determining the city, municipality, or
province of origin of a public-school teacher, the scholastic records filed in the Department of
Education shall be consulted; otherwise, the sealed certification from the city/municipal
mayor or the provincial governor shall be used.

SEC. 9. Emergency Assignment. - The incentive allowance provided in this Act shall
not be availed of by public-school teachers who are assigned to a different city, municipality,
or province in the event of a national disaster or national emergency.

SEC. 10. Funding. - The President is hereby authorized to realign or transfer any
item of appropriation within the Department of Education and/or utilize any savings therein
to carry out the purpose of this Act during the first year of its effectivity. Thereafter, the
amounts required for the implementation of this Act shall be included as a separate item in
the General Appropriations Act.

SEC. 11. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from the
effectivity of his Act, the Secretary of the Department of Education shall, in coordination
with other stakeholders, issue the necessary rules and regulations for the effective
implementation of this Act.


SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, parts of provisions of this Act that are not affected shall
continue to be in full force and effect.

SEC. 13. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees.
Implementing Rules and Regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly

SEC. 14. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,