If the proposed bill by Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas passes into law, it could increase the teaching supplies allowance for teachers from P5,000 to P10,000.
House Bill (HB) No. 4072, or the “Teaching Supplies Allowance Bill,” sought to increase and institutionalize the grant of a teaching supplies allowance for public school teachers.
“We hope to alleviate the financial burden of our public school teachers to show our gratitude and recognition for their dedication and sacrifices in providing quality education to our students amid the pandemic,” Vargas said in a statement.
The filing of the bill coincided with the National Teachers’ Month celebration on Sept. 5 to Oct. 5, 2022.
Under a Joint Circular by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), which prescribed guidelines in implementing the DepEd-Office of the Secretary Special Provision No. 11 on Cash Allowance, teachers were only given P5,000 for the School Year 2021-2022 as allowance for their teaching supplies.
But Vargas’ proposed measure aims to increase that to P10,000 for the purchase of, as per the joint circular, “teaching supplies and materials, tangible or intangible; for the conduct of various modes of learning, internet, and other communication expenses; and for their annual medical examination expense.”
The Teaching Supplies Allowance Bill was first filed in the 17th Congress and has been refiled by lawmakers ever since, including Vargas’ brother, former Rep. Alfred Vargas.
“When we provide Filipino educators with the proper support they need, we maximize the potential of our education sector and ensure the bright future of our nation,” Vargas said.
The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture has started deliberations on all the Teaching Supplies Allowance Bills filed in the 19th Congress on Sept. 6.
In the 17th and 18th Congress, the said committee has approved the proposed legislation but it remained pending in the Committee on Appropriations.