QC solon's bill to give public school teachers health insurance
A rookie solon has highlighted a bill that would provide health insurance to public school teachers following the bus accident in Orani, Bataan on Saturday, Nov. 5 that killed one teacher and injured 21 other passengers.

Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas filed House Bill (HB) 4074, also known as the “Health Care for Public School Teachers Bill”.
“This unfortunate incident that befell our QC teachers saddens all members of the community. As we pray for the recovery of the affected teachers and their families, it is imperative that we ensure further protection for the health and wellbeing of all our public school teachers by institutionalizing better healthcare programs for them,” Vargas said in a statement Sunday, Nov. 6.
The measure, filed last Aug. 30, aims to provide a health maintenance organization (HMO) insurance for all public school teachers under the Department of Education (DepEd).
It also mandates the DepEd to procure a contract with HMOs duly recognized and accepted by hospitals all over the country through competitive bidding which may be done nationally or regionally.
DepEd-Quezon City has reported that 141 public elementary and high school teachers attending a gender and development activity at Sinagtala Resort, Bataan was being ferried by three buses when one of the buses carrying 48 passengers lost its break in a sharp curve.
This caused the bus to plunge into a 15-meter ravine.The Quezon City school division officials, with the Quezon City local government, are now arranging the transport of the teacher’s remains and the recovery of the injured.
Vargas has noted that nine of the injured teachers are from his district and will be receiving medical assistance from his office. He has also offered his condolences and support to the family of the teacher who passed away.
“A health care program for our noble teachers will not only protect the health and wellbeing of our education sector, but will also contribute to the general promotion of public health in our communities,” the solon said.
“Our educators should be in their best possible physical and mental condition to attend to the educational needs of our communities. We have to invest in the health of our heroes who mold the minds of our children and our future.,” Vargas added.