President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called upon legislators from both houses of Congress to collaborate closely with the executive branch to improve the lives of Filipinos. This appeal was made during the ceremonial signing of the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act at the Palace on Monday.
The new law mandates an increase in the annual teaching allowance for public school teachers from P5,000 to P10,000, effective in the school year 2025-2026. This increment marks the most significant rise in the allowance to date. Historically, teachers’ allowances have seen incremental growth, starting from P100 in 1988 to P5,000 by 2021.
“Indeed, this new law institutionalizes the provision of an annual teaching allowance and gradually increases it from the current five thousand pesos to ten thousand pesos, which will not be subjected to income tax,” President Marcos said during the signing event.
He emphasized the substantial impact this increase will have on teachers, who often spend their own money on classroom supplies. “And while it might seem inconsequential to those who are already used to having a steady supply of basic materials for work, this amount makes an enormous difference for our beloved teachers and for the students,” he noted.
President Marcos acknowledged the sacrifices teachers make, often prioritizing their students’ needs over their financial concerns. “It must take an incredible amount of love to sacrifice what little you have for the sake of your students despite having financial worries of your own,” he remarked.
The President highlighted the essential role teachers play in society, stating, “They serve the country each day by teaching children the basic foundations to make them responsible and productive citizens.” He stressed that it is the government’s duty to support educators.
The ceremonial signing also marked a significant milestone for Philippine education. President Marcos has emphasized the urgency of strengthening the education system since the beginning of his term. The administration’s MATATAG Agenda aims to address challenges in basic education by decongesting the curriculum, building more classrooms, providing learning materials and internet access, implementing school-based feeding programs, fostering safe learning environments, and supporting other programs to enhance learners’ welfare.
Expressing his gratitude to lawmakers for their dedication, the President highlighted that the law provides much-needed assistance to teachers, which is a crucial component of the MATATAG Agenda. The Department of Education’s (DepEd) MATATAG Program focuses on reforming and enhancing the Philippine basic education system to secure a brighter future for Filipino youth.
Additionally, President Marcos thanked Congress for the passage of the Eddie Garcia Law and the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System Law, or PENCAS law, which he signed on May 24.
