As teachers play a crucial role in the success of education delivery, a group welcomed the proposal to amend the Republic Act 4670 or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.

“We believe that in order to fix the education system, the priority must be put on the welfare of our teachers,” Teachers’ Dignity Coalition National Chairperson Benjo Basas in a statement.

The TDC also acknowledged the findings of the Senate Committee on Basic Education and its recommendation to fully implement RA 4670 which is a vintage law enacted in 1966.

The Committee Report No. 645 submitted by the Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture on May 23, 2022, is the most comprehensive review of the said law.

TDC welcomed the initiatives taken by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and lately, the proposal submitted by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr., Chair of the Senate Committee on Civil Service, Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation who introduced Senate Bill No. 849 or “An Act Providing For Additional Benefits And Privileges To Public School Teachers Amending For The Purpose Republic Act No. 4670, Otherwise Known As The Magna Carta For Public School Teachers, And For Other Purposes.”

The bill, TDC said, seeks not just to “implement but to actually improve” several provisions of the RA 4670.

TDC has been in constant coordination with the leadership of relevant committees in both houses of Congress and other agencies that express support for this advocacy.

The law, the group said, is considered the “Bible of the Filipino teachers” for its clear and explicit support to ensure the welfare of public school teachers, but unfortunately, many of its provisions are left unimplemented since 1966.

Failures in the implementation of RA 4670

TDC pointed out that there are some failures of the government to implement this law.

For instance, the group said that teachers “do not enjoy the honoraria for teaching overload or the overtime pay” as stipulated in Sections 13 and 14 of the Magna Carta

While there is a special hardship allowance as stated in Section 19, TDC pointed out that it is “implemented incorrectly” as it is based only on a mere Department of Budget and Management (DBM) circular which says that the maximum amount shall not exceed 25 percent of a teacher's monthly salary contrary to the mandate of Magna Carta that 25 percent “shall be the minimum.”

TDC also cited that one salary grade higher upon retirement is another “myth” since the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) uses its policy for computing the retirement benefits of teachers.

The law also explicitly provides for a free annual and compulsory medical examination, treatment, hospitalization, and compensation for injuries “but the teachers are paying for all of these expenses.”

TDC said that the Magna Carta also ensures other benefits such as consent for transfer and transportation allowance, salary increment from lowest to highest within a maximum period of 10 years, paid study leave for those who served for seven years, and criteria set for determination of salaries.

“We knew for a fact that all these provisions are either implemented in part or not implemented at all,” TDC said.

Given these, TDC enthusiastically welcomed the SBN 849 and the following amendments to RA 4670 it seeks to institutionalize the provision of Special Hardship Allowances; making study leave with full monthly pay and allowances available to teachers every three years instead of one-time study leave after seven years; extending the educational benefits to teachers children in the form of a full scholarship in state colleges and universities; and mandating monthly longevity pay equivalent to 10% of teachers monthly salary every five years of continuous and satisfactory service

TDC said that full implementation of the Magna Carta for Teachers and the immediate passing of SBN 849 “may not totally eliminate the ills of the education sector but it will greatly contribute to solving the problems.”

The TDC has been lobbying for the full implementation of the welfare provisions of the Magna Carta, an advocacy that propelled the group's formation in 2006.