Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the continuing learning crisis in the country due to 
the shift to online and remote learning modes. It is important to note that pre-pandemic, the 
Philippines had already unsatisfactory rankings in various international assessments such as 
on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2018, Trends in 
International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and Southeast Asia Primary Learning 
Metrics (SEA-PLM) in 2019. These results could be attributed to various factors including the 
learning environment, curriculum, economic status, and more importantly, the competence 
and quality of our teaching workforce.  
To address these concerns, it is indispensable for the State to examine the effectiveness of 
the teacher certificate system, ensure the quality of education graduates, and incentivize the 
youth to take up the career path toward education in the country. This bill seeks to establish 
the Teacher Education for Achievers (TEACH) Program and provide incentives to students. 
Incentives include full tuition, booking allowance, living expenses, medical insurance, and 
licensure review support, among others to attract the most competitive scholars in getting their 
training from the best tertiary education institutions in the country. 
Therefore, this measure is in adherence with the State’s recognition of the invaluable role of 
teachers as agents of constructive intellectual, social, cultural, political, and moral change in 
educational institutions and in the community. Shaping the next generations of our country 
through them, the teaching profession is only just to be given appropriate support and priority. 
In line with this, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
 MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE 
TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. HORIBATA 
NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
July 18, 2022
5:29 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR.,  
HON. MIGUEL LUIS R. VILLAFUERTE, HON. TSUYOSHI ANTHONY G. 
HORIBATA AND HON. NICOLAS ENCISO VIII 
AN ACT 
ESTABLISHING THE TEACHER EDUCATION FOR ACHIEVERS PROGRAM TO 
IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEACHERS IN THE PHILIPPINES, 
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
CHAPTER 1 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SECTION 1. Short Title. —This Act shall be known as the “Teacher Education For 
Achievers (TEACH) Act”. 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. —  The State recognizes the invaluable role of 
teachers as agents of constructive social, economic, moral, intellectual, cultural and 
political change in school and the community, within the context of national policies. 
To this end, the State promotes and uplifts the image of teaching professionals as a 
source of national pride. It is likewise declared that in order to protect and promote the 
right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, the State shall prioritize accessible 
and quality teacher education, learning and development, and placement and 
professionalization of teaching professionals. 
To implement this, the State shall provide scholarships to qualified applicants to 
enable them to pursue education and training in the areas of learning and education 
and to provide incentives for them to be teachers in the public primary and secondary 
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school system, including Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Senior 
High School (SHS), Special Education (SPED), wherever public interest may require. 
 
CHAPTER II 
ESTABLISHING THE TEACHER EDUCATION FOR ACHIEVERS PROGRAM 
 
SECTION 3. Establishment of the Teacher Education for Achievers Program. — 
The Teacher Education for Achievers (TEACH) Program, which shall provide quality 
pre-service teacher education, is hereby established. It shall ensure that future 
teachers are classroom-ready and contributors to improve learning outcomes by 
providing the best training, full financial and psychosocial support, and employment 
assistance to qualified grantees. 
 
SECTION 4. Approved Courses and Priority Programs. — Grantees shall pursue 
degrees in teacher education in the partner Teacher Education Institution (TEI), as 
identified and approved by the Department of Education (DepEd) as priority education 
degrees. For its initial implementation, the TEACH Program shall offer two tracks: 
(1) Certificate in Teaching Program (CTP) track — for those who are graduates of any 
bachelor's degree except in Education; and (2) Undergraduate Level track — for 
incoming third-year college students. Grantees may pursue the completion of the 
appropriate degree from any of the following: 
(a) Bachelor of Early Childhood Education;  
(b) Bachelor of Special Education; 
(c) Bachelor of Elementary Education; 
(d) Bachelor of Secondary Education (major in any of the following: English, 
Biology, Chemistry, General Science, Mathematics, or Physics); 
(e) Bachelor of Science in Chemistry for Teachers; 
(f) Bachelor of Science in Mathematics for Teachers; 
(g) Bachelor of Science in Physics for Teachers; 
(h) Bachelor of Science in Biology for Teachers; 
(i) Certificate in Teaching Program or its equivalent; and 
(j) Similar degrees, as may be approved by the DepEd. 
 


 
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SECTION 5. Qualifications. — The minimum qualifications that the applicants must 
possess to apply for the TEACH Program are: 
(a) Must be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines; 
(b) Must pass the qualifying examination system, comprised of the selection 
process and the aptitude test for teachers as well as the appropriate examination 
and assessment by the TEI; 
(c) Must have at least an 85% general weighted average or its equivalent in the 
degree that he or she is currently enrolled in or graduated from; 
(d) Must not have service obligations under other programs in conflict with the 
TEACH Program obligations. 
 
The DepEd shall promulgate and periodically review the qualification criteria of 
applicants for the TEACH Program. 
 
CHAPTER III 
PROGRAM COMPONENTS, INCENTIVES AND RETURN OF SERVICE 
 
SECTION 6. Key Components of the TEACH Program. — The TEACH Program 
shall be designed and structured to provide holistic support for the grantees, whether 
it be physical, psychosocial and academic, to help them towards their career as future 
teachers. This includes the following: 
(1) scholarship package outlined in Section 7 hereof,  
(2) the provision of continuous mentorship and training and development to the 
TEACH Program grantees, based on their actual needs,  
(3) teaching position upon graduation, and  
(4) other incentives outlined in Section 10 hereof. 
 
The DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through the 
Teacher Education Council, shall provide screening guidelines for highly competent 
faculty and professionals from the TEIS who will qualify and serve as mentors under 
this Program. 
 
SECTION 7. Scholarship Component of the TEACH Program. — TEACH Program 
grantees shall be eligible to receive the following: 


 
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(a) Tuition, laboratory, miscellaneous and other related school fees, 
(b) Allowance for prescribed books, supplies, equipment; 
(c) Clothing or uniform allowance; 
(d) Transportation allowance or allowance for dormitory or boarding house 
accommodation, whichever is appropriate; 
(e) Graduation and related miscellaneous fees; 
(f) Relocation allowance, if applicable; 
(g) Professional Teachers board review fees and licensure fees: Provided, that 
the support shall only be limited to the first licensure examination of the scholar, 
taken within five years from graduation; 
(h) Annual medical and accident insurance, and related health reimbursements; 
and 
(i) Monthly living allowance. 
 
DepEd shall be responsible for the proper implementation and disbursement of 
the monies arising from this Section. Guidelines on proper disbursement of funds shall 
be issued within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SECTION 8. Conditions for the Grant of Scholarship. — Scholars accepted to the 
TEACH Program must execute a service contract, subject to the following: 
(a) Commitment to immediately pursue his or her pre-service teacher education 
program and must finish the entire program within the prescribed time frame and 
subject to the retention policies of the TEI; Provided, that the scholar may be 
allowed, for valid and justifiable reasons, to file for a leave of absence for one (1) 
academic period; 
(b) Commitment to teach full-time in the public primary and secondary education 
system for a period, as provided under this Act; 
(c) Commitment to repay the amounts disbursed pursuant to the terms of their 
service contract, if the grantee drops out from the approved degree program 
where the grantee is currently enrolled in; and 
(d) Commitment to all the other terms and conditions of the scholarship, as 
provided under this Act and as may be prescribed in the implementing rules and 
regulations. 
 


 
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Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the service contract will result 
in the full repayment of the scholarship monies and penalties, as applicable, within an 
approved period. 
 
SECTION 9. Service Obligations. — As their Return of Service ("ROS"), the TEACH 
Program grantees shall teach full-time in the public primary and secondary education 
system for at least one (1) year for each year of the scholarship or a fraction thereof, 
in a public school primary or secondary school, as may be approved by the DepEd; 
Provided, that the DepEd shall not consider practicum teaching as return service 
under this provision. These service obligations may be amended, subject to the 
service contract, as approved by the DepEd. 
 
SECTION 10. Incentives. — Successful TEACH Program grantees shall be entitled 
to the following incentives: 
(a) Scholarships in identified TEIS for the approved courses and priority 
programs under Section 4 of this Act; 
(b) Eligibility for immediate hiring subject to passing the Licensure Examination 
for Teachers (LET) within five (5) years after their date of hiring; 
(c) A teacher position in a public primary or secondary school with a starting 
salary grade equivalent to Teacher Ill; 
(d) Receipt of appropriate salaries and other benefits for services rendered under 
the mandatory job placement as ROS under Section (c) of this Act; and  
(e) A one-time relocation allowance, should he/she be assigned in a place other 
than his/her permanent residence. 
(f) Continued teacher education and training through the scholarships granted 
under Republic Act No. 10533 or the "Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013". 
 
CHAPTER IV 
IMPLEMENTATION 
 
SECTION 11. Program Recruitment Plan. — The DepEd and CHED, through the 
Teacher Education Council ("TEC") created under Republic Act No. 7784, shall 
develop an annual implementation plan which will include a thorough teacher demand 


 
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analysis and recruitment campaign to attract incoming undergraduate students and 
program shifters to the Program.  
 
SECTION 12. Selection of Eligible Teacher Education Institution. — TEACH 
Program grantees may only complete their approved course/program under Section 
4 of this Act through eligible partner TEIs. A public or private TEI may be eligible for 
partnership/coverage under this Program, subject to compliance with any of the 
following conditions: 
(a) must have its teacher education program accredited as a Center of 
Excellence level, or 
(b) must have its teacher education program accredited as a FAAP Level IV, or 
(c) must have a BLEPT passing rate of at least 75% passing rate in six of the 
last ten years. 
The TEI shall be subject to a service partnership contract that will outline the 
terms and conditions of its coverage under this Program. 
 
SECTION 13. Mandates of the Department of Education (DepEd). — The DepEd 
shall be the lead implementing agency of the provisions of this Act. It shall establish a 
TEACH Program Management Unit that shall be responsible for the evaluation, award-
giving, and monitoring and evaluation of all scholarship grants and awardees; 
Provided that, administrative expenses must not exceed five percent (5%) 10 of the 
total budget per year. 
DepEd shall ensure the hiring of qualified graduates under this Program as 
public-school teachers with the incentives outlined under Section of this Act, and 
coordinating the same with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Department 
of Budget and Management (DBM). DepEd shall provide forward estimates of teacher 
needs for every specialization and level to help in mapping out the scholar recruitment 
plan under Section 11. It shall coordinate with its regional offices to ensure regional 
support and coordination with other offices in the implementation of this program; 
Provided that, additional staff will be provided to DepEd regional offices in support of 
the Program, as necessary. The DepEd, through the TEC, shall ensure that the 
policies for the program are supported by relevant stakeholders and shall ensure the 
continuous monitoring and evaluation, including the impact of hiring of teaching 
professionals facilitated through Section 8 of Republic Act No. 10533 or the 


 
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"Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013" and Republic Act No. 10612 or the Fast-
Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013. 
 
SECTION 14. Mandates of the Commission on Higher Education. — CHED shall 
set the standards for and validation of the qualifications of partner TEIS and continue 
to monitor the eligibility of the partner TEIs, to ensure the Program's effective and 
efficient implementation. CHED shall submit the necessary information to DepEd to 
help with the implementation of this Program. It shall continue to improve and uplift 
the quality standards for TEIS and higher education to expand the number of eligible 
TEIs for the TEACH Program. 
CHED shall take the lead in coordinating with the Unified Student Financial 
Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) Board under Republic Act No, 
10931, to ensure complementarity and harmonization with this Act. CHED shall ensure 
that the scholarships for in-service teacher education under Section 10(f) are made 
available to the Program grantees.  
 
 
SECTION 15. Mandates of the Teacher Education Council. — The TEC shall 
provide multi-stakeholder support for the TEACH Program in determining the policy, 
monitoring and evaluation assistance. It shall spearhead the creation of a monitoring 
and evaluation plan, including an impact evaluation study to be initiated in the fifth 
year of the TEACH Program and every two years thereafter, including an outcome 
tracking system for the scholar-graduates. From the impact evaluation study, it shall 
make recommendations regarding teacher education policies, planning and teacher 
education development projects. 
 
SECTION 16. Mandates of the Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs). —  Partner 
TEIS shall help in the administration of the Program in their respective schools, subject 
to the terms and conditions of their commitments under Section 12 of this Act.  Every 
TEI is tasked with the rigorous selection and monitoring of the mentors for the 
grantees of the TEACH Program. It shall ensure pre-service teacher education that is 
innovative and responsive, taking into account student-learning-centered professional 
teaching of knowledge and skills for educators who will have a strong sense of 
professionalism, moral character and with strong respect for diversity, and ethnic 
cultures, concern for society, and international vision. 


 
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CHAPTER V 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
 
SECTION 17. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the available appropriations of the DepEd, under the 
current General Appropriations Act. Thereafter, the amount necessary for its 
continuous implementation shall be included in the Annual General Appropriations.  
 
SECTION 18. Other Sources of Funding. — Other sources of funds such as grants, 
donations, collections and other forms of assistance from public or private entities, 
whether domestic or foreign, may be tapped and facilitated by the DepEd in relation 
to the implementation of the TEACH Program. 
 
SECTION 19. Review and Monitoring. — The DepEd, through the TEC, shall report 
to the President and Congress after the first five (5) years, and every two (2) years 
thereafter, on the implementation of the provisions of this Act and shall submit 
recommendations for its improvement. All the TEC government agencies are also 
tasked to monitor the implementation of the TEACH Program as well as the actual 
hiring in public schools of the TEACH Program graduates, and to undertake such 
studies and include these in their respective annual reports. 
 
SECTION 20. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) — Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the DepEd through the TEC, and in consultation with 
the, CHED, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, CSC and DBM, 
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation 
of this Act. 
 
SECTION 21. Separability Clause. — If for any section or provision of this Act is 
declared unconstitutional, the other section or provision not so declared shall continue 
to be in full force and effect. 
 


 
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SECTION 22. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations 
and other issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Act, are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
 
SECTION 23. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
complete publication in the Official Gazette and in at least one (1) newspaper of 
general circulation. 
 
Approved.