QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Akbayan Party-list Representative Chel Diokno renewed calls on Monday, October 5, for the passage of two key legislative measures aimed at increasing salaries and improving healthcare benefits for teachers across the country.
Making the push on World Teachers’ Day, the former educator highlighted the vital role teachers play in student development and national progress, stressing that financial compensation must reflect their contributions.
“While we recognize the invaluable role of our teachers in our society, this recognition must be matched with meaningful support that allows them and their families to live with dignity,” Diokno stated.
The former De La Salle College of Law dean cautioned that quality education remains unattainable if educators face persistent financial strain. He added that low compensation pushes teachers to seek job opportunities elsewhere, resulting in staffing shortages in the national education system.
“If we want quality education, we must also make sure that our teachers are treated fairly, paid adequately, and given the support they need to do their jobs well,” he said.
Diokno pressed for the approval of House Bill (HB) No. 7649, or the “Dagdag Sahod for Public Basic Education Teachers and Employees Act.” The proposed measure seeks an across-the-board ₱15,000 monthly basic pay increase for public basic education teaching and non-teaching personnel, structured in three annual tranches: ₱6,000 in the first year, ₱5,000 in the second, and ₱4,000 in the third.
Additionally, Diokno advocated for HB No. 7648, the “Healthy Buhay at Hanapbuhay para sa Guro Act,” which guarantees comprehensive hospital, medical, and wellness coverage for primary and secondary teachers and their qualified dependents.
Under the proposal, the Department of Health (DOH) would set up dedicated teacher health centers and specialty wards in all DOH-retained hospitals, while fully covering healthcare fees in public facilities.
The measure also mandates fully subsidized PhilHealth premiums for public school teachers and a 50-50 cost-sharing mechanism between the government and educational institutions for private school teachers.
“Supporting our teachers is not limited to raising their salaries. They also have a right to quality healthcare and other services they need to live and work with dignity. If we want our teachers to care for our children and shape the future of our country, then government must also care for our teachers,” Diokno emphasized.
The measures were joint filings by Diokno, fellow Akbayan Representatives Percival Cendaña and Dadah Kiram Ismula, and Dinagat Islands Lone District Representative Kaka Bag-ao. Both bills remain under committee-level review in the House of Representatives.