THE House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to increase the annual P5,000 Teaching Supplies Allowance of public elementary and secondary teachers to P7,500.00 per teacher for School Year 2024-2025 and P10,000.00 per teacher for the succeeding school years.
With an overwhelming 247 votes, the chamber approved House Bill (HB) No. 9682 or the proposed “Teaching Supplies Allowance Act,” which, once enacted into law, will cover all public school teachers teaching the primary education curriculum.
“This much-needed allowance for teachers is long overdue, and by passing this relevant bill, we hope to strengthen our commitment to the welfare of our public teachers,” Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said. “We are open to harmonizing the measure with the Senate as soon as possible.”
“The selfless service of our educators is priceless, and we hope to address one of the many concerns they have through the provision of this supplies allowance, which will not be subject to income tax,” Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, added.
Under Section 4 of HB 9682, the allowance can be used to buy tangible or intangible teaching supplies and materials, pay incidental expenses, and implement or conduct various learning delivery modalities.
The amount necessary for implementing the proposed law will be included in the Department of Education (DepEd) budget in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).
Public elementary and high school teachers are receiving a P5,000 teaching supplies allowance for the entire school year. In May, the Senate approved its counterpart bill, Senate Bill 1964, or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act. SB 1964 also proposes the same amount of supplies allowance for teachers.
The principal authors of the measure are Reps. Roman T. Romulo, Joey Sarte Salceda, Elizaldy S. Co, France L. Castro, Arlene D. Brosas, Raoul Danniel A. Manuel, Emigdio P. Tanjuatco, III, Luis Raymund “Lray” Jr. F. Villafuerte, Miguel Luis R. Villafuerte, Tsuyoshi Anthony G. Horibata, Lani Mercado-Revilla, Alfred C. Delos Santos, Christopher V.P. De Venecia, Rommel Rico T. Angara, Ralph G. Recto, Marjorie Ann A. Teodoro, Eric Go Yap, Paolo Z. Duterte, Patrick Michael D. Vargas, Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” C. Villanueva, Reynante U. Arrogancia, Lordan G. Suan, Keith Micah “Atty. Mike” D.L. Tan, Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, Wilter Y. Palma, Irene Gay F. Saulog, Dale B. Corvera, Steve Chiongbian Solon, Crispin Diego “Ping” Remulla, Maria Fe R. Abunda, Marie Bernadette G. Escudero, Jaime R. Fresdeni, Dante S. Garcia, Salvador A. Pleyto, Eulogio R. Rodriguez, Eddiebong G. Plaza, Maximo Y. Dalog, Jr., Peter B. Miguel, Rachel Marguerite B. Del Mar, Eduardo Roa Rama, Jr., Jernie Jett V. Nisay, Ron P. Salo, Bonifacio L. Bosita, Charisse Anne Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar, Ma. Cynthia K. Chan, Josefina B. Tallado, Carl Nicolas C. Cari, Jose Gay G. Padiernos, Laarni Lavin Roque, Ciriaco B. Gato, Maria Theresa V. Collantes, Lianda B. Bolilia, Ramon Jolo B. Revilla III, Bryan B. Revilla, Sergio C. Dagooc, Ray T. Reyes, John Tracy F. Cagas, Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, Roy M. Loyola, Rodolfo “Ompong” M. Ordanes, Joseph Stephen “Caraps” S. Paduano, Mario Vittorio “Marvey” A. Mariño, Mark O. Cojuangco, Mark O. Go, Joselito “Joel” S. Sacdalan, Raul Angelo “Jil” D. Bongalon, Marlyn L. Primicias-Agabas, Ed Christopher S. Go, Angelica Natasha Co, Joseph Gilbert F. Violago, Ma. Lucille L., Nava, M.D., Claudine Diana D. Bautista-Lim, Bienvenido M. Abante,Jr., Gerardo “Gerryboy” J. Espina,Jr., Jocelyn Sy Limkaichong, Luis N. Campos, Jr., Baby Aline Vargas-Alfonso, Joseph “Jojo” L. Lara, Mary Mitzi L. Cajayon-Uy, Divina Grace C. Yu, Midy N. Cua, Marlyn “Len” B. Alonte, Maria Rachel J. Arenas, Arnie B. Fuentebella, Jose Maria R. Zubiri, Jr., Alfonso V. Umali, Jr., Ching B. Bernos, Romeo S. Momo, Sr., Edwin L. Gardiola, Alfelito “Alfel” M. Bascug, Joseph S. Tan, Ricardo S. Cruz Jr., Antonieta R. Eudela, Ma. Rene Ann Lourdes G. Matibag, Jocelyn P. Tulfo, Drixie Mae S. Cardema, Samuel S. Verzosa, Jr., Edgar M. Chatto, Wowo Fortes, Antonio B. Legarda Jr., Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Loreto S. Amante, Carmelo “Jon” B. Lazatin II , Faustino Michael Carlos T. Dy III, Doris E. Maniquiz, Arnan C. Panaligan, Christian S. Unabia, Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado, Christopherson “Coco” M. Yap, Ma. Alana Samantha T. Santos, Bai Dimple I. Mastura, Nicanor M. Briones, Felimon M. Espares, Gabriel H. Bordado, Jr., Nicolas C. Enciso III, Brian Raymund S. Yamsuan, Antonio “Tonypet” T. Albano, Noel “Bong” N. Rivera, Kristine Alexie B. Tutor, Celso G. Regencia, and Stella Luz A. Quimbo.
