Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
Teachers push DBM, Malacañang for release of delayed P7,000 medical allowance
Philippines
National
Teachers push DBM, Malacañang for release of delayed P7,000 medical allowance
Teachers push DBM, Malacañang for release of delayed P7,000 medical allowance
Published Aug 18, 2025 01:11 pm
At A Glance
- TDC urges DBM and Malacañang to release the delayed P7,000 medical allowance under EO 64, noting that many teachers have already paid for required medical exams out of pocket
- Teachers are also seeking a meeting with DBM Secretary Pangandaman, stressing the need for clarity and swift action amid prolonged implementation delays
- Despite DepEd's claim of having limited authority, TDC has made multiple appeals since July, with the latest Palace referral to DBM offering a potential path forward
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) is urging the DBM and President Marcos to release the delayed P7,000 medical allowance for teachers and government workers under EO 64, citing urgent healthcare needs. (Manila Bulletin / file)
Citing its importance to the welfare of public educators and government workers, a teachers’ group on Monday, August 18, reiterated its appeal to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Malacañang for the immediate release of the promised P7,000 medical allowance.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC), in a statement, urged the DBM and President Marcos to act swiftly on the delayed release of the annual medical allowance for public school teachers and other government employees.
Under Executive Order No. 64, signed by President Marcos, the allowance is meant to be distributed through health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or, in some cases, in cash. However, many teachers say they have yet to receive the benefit despite being halfway through the year.
“Public school teachers badly need the cash to cover their medical expenses, particularly the mandated annual medical examination, which most teachers have paid for out of their own pockets,” said TDC National Chairperson Benjo Basas.
Call for a dialogue
TDC is also pushing for an urgent dialogue with DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman to resolve the issue, stressing that teachers have already shouldered the cost of their required annual medical examinations.
“While the Executive Order prescribes the benefit for fiscal year 2025, delays in policy implementation have left our teachers waiting for months,” Basas said. “We need clarity and decisive action, and we appeal to the President and the DBM Secretary to resolve this without further delay,” he added.
TDC also expressed appreciation to Pangandaman for appealing to government agencies to expedite the release of the allowance during a press conference last week.
Multiple appeals to Malacañang
The TDC said it has made several appeals to Malacañang since July.
On July 1, the group requested that the allowance be released in cash form at least for 2025. TDC said the Office of the President endorsed the request to Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara, but the department replied that it “had no authority” to amend EO 64.
The group reiterated its appeal in a July 28 letter to Malacañang, which was later referred to the DBM on July 31.
On August 14, TDC submitted another rejoinder, expressing concern that the DBM might only echo DepEd’s earlier position.
Still, Basas welcomed the Palace’s latest referral, saying it could pave the way for a solution.
“We see a ray of hope in the Palace’s referral to the DBM. This may mean entrusting the matter to Secretary Pangandaman’s discretion, since the DBM is the primary agency tasked to implement Executive Order No. 64,” Basas said.
Teachers await relief
Amid the delay, TDC expressed hope that Pangandaman will provide a clear resolution and deliver long-awaited relief to teachers and other government employees.