Gatchalian lauds PBBM for prioritizing teachers' welfare in third SONA

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday, July 28 said he is optimistic over President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s promise of upholding the welfare of teachers during his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

Marcos, in his third SONA, vowed to make sure that public school teachers will receive personal accident insurance from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and a special hardship allowance, and an end to the practice of “utang (debt)-tagging,” which prevents teachers from renewing their licenses.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa ating Pangulo dahil binigyan niya ng pansin ang kapakanan ng ating mga guro sa kanyang SONA (I’m thankful to the President that he is taking note of the welfare of our teachers in his SONA),” Gatchalian said in a statement.

“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 (The success of the system of our education rests with our teachers, that’s why we continue to pursue legislation that would add to their benefits and establish their welfare),” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

Among the achievements that Gatchalian lauded in the President’s SONA is the signing of the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act,  or Republic Act No. 11997, a law that will increase the teaching allowance from P5,000 to P10,000 starting School Year 2025-2026. 

The Chief Executive also vowed that funds will be allocated to implement the career progression system to promote public school teachers’ professional development and career advancement. 

Under this expanded system, teachers can choose between the teaching and school administration tracks, which would accelerate and offer ample growth opportunities for public school teachers.

According to Marcos, under this system, no more public school teacher shall retire as Teacher I.

With this, the lawmaker said he will pursue the passage of laws that would institutionalize more benefits and protection for teachers. 

One of these is the Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers  or Senate Bill No. 2493, which amends the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers or Republic Act No. 4670.

According to the senator, among 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.

At the same time, Gatchalian said he will file a bill that will institutionalize the career progression system for public school teachers.