SENATOR  Win Gatchalian hailed President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s commitment to upholding the welfare of teachers, a priority that the chief executive emphasized in his recent State of the Nation Address.

Among the achievements that Gatchalian lauded in the President’s SONA is the signing of the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act (Republic Act No. 11997), a law that will increase the teaching allowance from P5,000 to P10,000 starting School Year 2025-2026. The President also said that public school teachers will receive personal accident insurance from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and a special hardship allowance. The President further said that the practice of ‘utang-tagging,’ which prevents teachers from renewing their licenses, shall end.

The chief executive also mentioned in his SONA that funds will be allocated to implement the career progression system to promote public school teachers’ professional development and career advancement. Under the expanded system, teachers can choose between the teaching and school administration tracks, which would accelerate and offer ample growth opportunities for public school teachers. The President said that under this system, no more public school teacher shall retire as Teacher I.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating Pangulo dahil binigyan niya ng pansin ang kapakanan ng ating mga guro sa kanyang SONA. Nakasalalay sa ating mga guro ang tagumpay ng sistema ng edukasyon, kaya naman patuloy din nating isusulong ang mga panukalang batas para dagdagan ang kanilang mga benepisyo at itaguyod ang kanilang mga kapakanan,” said Gatchalian, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

Moving forward, Gatchalian said he will pursue legislation to institutionalize more benefits and protection for teachers. One of these is the Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Senate Bill No. 2493), which amends the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Republic Act No. 4670). The proposed amendments include the grant of calamity leave, educational benefits, and longevity pay; the circumstances and conditions on the grant of special hardship allowance; enrichment of the criteria for salaries; and the protection of teachers from out-of-pocket expenses, among others.

Gatchalian eyes filing a bill that will institutionalize the career progression system for public school teachers.