The government is asking Congress to approve the allocation of PHP38.63 billion for the career advancement and allowances of more than 900,000 public school teachers, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Thursday.
The DBM said the proposed budget has been included in the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Programs, Activities, Projects (PAPs) to alleviate the teachers’ difficult working conditions.
About PHP2.16 billion of the amount would be allotted for a training program aimed at fostering and supporting the professional and career advancement of personnel in schools and learning centers, as well as teaching personnel who serve managerial, supervisory, and administrative functions at the Schools Division Offices (SDOs), Regional Offices (ROs), and Central Office (CO).
The DBM said a total of PHP26.1 billion would be used to fund new school personnel positions – PHP5.47 billion for the creation of 20,000 teaching positions, and the remaining PHP20.63 billion to fill 37,813 vacant teaching positions.
“An allocation under the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) was also provided for the creation of 5,000 non-teaching positions in support of DepEd’s MATATAG agenda to provide adequate manpower support to teachers to teach better,” it said.
“These non-teaching positions will address the need to unload teachers of administrative, ancillary, and/or non-teaching tasks so they can focus on providing quality instruction to learners.”
Teachers’ allowances
The DBM said an allocation of PHP4.83 billion in cash allowances would be used to augment expenses for teaching supplies and materials, Internet subscription and other communication expenses, and annual medical examination.
It said each teacher would receive PHP5,000 every school year.
The DBM also noted that PHP374.98 million will be provided for the Alternative Learning System (ALS) -Transportation and Teaching Aid Allowance for ALS coordinators and implementers.
About PHP3.77 billion would also be used for the Special Hardship Allowance (SHA), an additional compensation to teachers assigned in schools categorized as “hardship areas” or where commuting is difficult, among other hazards peculiar to the place of employment.
The DBM said about PHP912.26 million would be utilized for World Teachers’ Day Incentive, while PHP482.06 million would fund the Honoraria for Teaching Overload to compensate teaching personnel whose teaching load exceeds six hours per day of actual classroom teaching.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman pledged to provide support to teachers, as she acknowledged their crucial role in molding the minds of the Filipino youth.
“I believe that the development of our country is fueled by education, skills, and talent. And this could only be achieved with the dedication, hard work, and passion of our teachers. Hindi natin dapat pabayaan ang ating mga guro (We should not neglect our teachers),” she said.
“Rest assured that on the part of DBM, we will continue to fulfill President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s) directive to support our teachers by providing for their needs. We recommit to listening and providing assistance in the best way we can so they may fully deploy their talent and vocation and rethink the way ahead for their profession.” (PNA)
