Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
2452

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 T0 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" (emphases supplied).

The plight of our teachers, however, betrays the best intention of the Constitution. Public school
teachers are among the most underpaid and/or overworked professionals in our society today. Despite
the fact that they are looked upon and heralded as molders of the youth, public school teachers receive
a basic salary of Php20,754.00 under Executive Order No. 201. Yet our teachers are considered to be
the prime movers of the education system. .

If education is a 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 its rightful
share of the best available talents through adequate remuneration as envisioned by the fundamental
law. Hence, the State urgently needs to give priority to their interest and welfare.

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

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

ANGELINA “HELEN” D.L. Ve M.D.
4th District, Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 2452 _

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

AN ACT
UPGRADING THE MINIMUM SALARY GRADE LEVEL OF TEACHERS FROM SALARY
GRADE 11 T0 19

Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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 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 prejudiced 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 schools teachers shall take priority over other non-educational and non-
agricultural budgetary allocations.

SEC. 3. Budget Required. - The Department of Education (DepEd) 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 (5) years to allow
the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) 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 DepEd and the DBM shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.

SEC. 6. Repealing Clause. — All provisions of laws, orders, decrees, as well as 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 parts or provisions thereof which are not affected shall
continue to remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,