Quezon City 5th district Rep. PM Vargas is aggressively pushing for a legislative package designed to uplift the lives of Filipino teachers, whom he describes as the "second parents" of the youth.

Vargas is specifically calling for the swift passage of House Bill (HB) Nos. 5082, 5083, and 5085 in the current 20th Congress.

Highlighting the upcoming new school year, Vargas said the bills were aimed at increasing teachers' salaries, securing permanent positions for volunteers, and providing incentives for those serving in far-flung areas.

“Sabi nga natin, ang pagiging guro ay ang pinaka marangal na propesyon. Pero madalas ay di natin napapansin o nasusuklian ang mabigat na pagtatrabaho ng ating mga teacher. Ngayong naghahanda muli tayo sa pasukan, it is only right that the government also prepares a better life for them,” Vargas said.

(Like what we say, teaching is the most noble profession. But often we do not notice or repay the heavy work of our teachers. As we prepare again for the school year, it is only right that the government also prepares a better life for them.)

Under HB No. 5082, Vargas proposes to upgrade the minimum salary grade of public school teachers from ₱27,000 to ₱34,421. The lawmaker noted that with the rising cost of living, teachers struggle to provide for their own families while caring for the nation's children.

Vargas also filed HB No. 5083, which seeks to create permanent positions for volunteer teachers who have rendered at least five years of continuous service. This is to recognize the contribution of long-term volunteers, he said.

“Ang ating mga volunteer teacher ay ang mga tahimik na pumupuno sa kakulangan sa ating  education system. They should not have to wait forever for job security. Dapat lang na kilalanin natin ang kontribusyon nila,” added the deputy majority leader.

(Our volunteer teachers are the quiet ones filling the gaps in our education system. They should not have to wait forever for job security. We must recognize their contribution.)

For the sake of teachers assigned outside their home cities, municipalities or provinces, Vargas filed HB No. 5085. This bill provides monthly incentives to teachers serving in distant or isolated communities.

The second-term legislator has emphasized that when teachers are respected and cared for, the quality of education improves.

“Kung hindi na kailangan pa isipin ng ating mga teacher kung saan sila kukuha ng panggastos sa pang araw-araw at ang seguridad ng kanilang trabaho, mas mapagtutuunan nila ng pansin ang tamang pagtuturo sa ating mga anak.

(If our teachers no longer have to worry about where to get their daily expenses and about the security of their jobs, they can focus more on proper teaching of our children.)

'When we care for our teachers, we are indirectly caring for our children,” he said.

Vargas urged his colleagues in Congress to prioritize these bills as the school year begins, noting that teaching should attract and retain the best talents through just compensation.

“Ang ating mga guro ang tumatayong ikalawang magulang ng ating mga anak na nasa paaralan (Our teachers stand as the second parents of our children in school)," he underscored.

"They mold the future of this country within the four walls of the classroom. It is time we recognize their hard work and important role in nation building through laws that will uphold their welfare.” Vargas said.