Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco (PPAB)

Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco says the increase to P7,000 of public school teachers' medical allowance is proof that the Marcos administration is committed to improving the welfare of the country’s educators.

"This is great news for our teachers and a sign of better things to come for the educatuon sector," Tiangco said in a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

"Hindi lang puro pangako. Patunay itong medical allowance na seryoso ang administrasyon ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa pagbibigay ng karampatang benepisyo sa ating mga guro," he added.

(Not just mere promises. This medical allowance is proof that the administration of President Bongbong Marcos is serious about providing suitable benefits to our teachers.)

As announced by the Department of Education (DepEd), public school teachers are set to receive a P7,000 medical allowance annually starting next year. This is a significant hike from the agency’s P500 medical allowance, which started in 2020.

The increase is mandated under President Marcos’ Executive Order (EO) No. 64. It provides for an annual medical allowance of up to P7,000 to eligible government civilian personnel, including public school teachers.

“Teachers are part of the backbone of the country. We leave young Filipinos in their care so the state of our public school system is indicative of the future we want to build for the Philippines,” said Tiangco.

“With President Bongbong’s firm commitment to education reforms, I believe we’re building a stronger future for the Philippines," the lawmaker stressed.

Tiangco said that the current administration was “putting money where its mouth is” as it already achieved the promise set by Marcos during his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Around 900,000 public school teachers nationwide are expected to benefit from the increased medical allowance.

In addition to this, public school teachers shall also receive a P5,000 teaching allowance this school year under the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act. The amount will increase to P10,000 starting school year 2025-2026.