Senator Villanueva presses for benefits for public school teachers and workers

Senator Joel Villanueva is pressing for enhanced benefits for public school teachers and non-teaching personnel, emphasizing that honoring their service requires concrete and sustained government support.

Villanueva issued the call Monday, Oct. 5, in a video message during the Department of Education’s (DepEd) World Teachers’ Day celebration at the Araneta Coliseum, which gathered thousands of educators nationwide.

As co-chairperson of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), Villanueva pledged to continue championing legislation aimed at easing the financial burden on education workers.

Key among these measures is Senate Bill No. 1606, or the proposed Allowances for Public Basic Education Personnel Act. The bill seeks to grant public school staff quarterly allowances of ₱3,000 for grocery and transportation costs and ₱2,000 for medical expenses. These figures would be adjusted every three years to keep pace with inflation.

Villanueva stressed the need to institutionalize these benefits so that support for education workers does not hinge on administrative discretion or annual budget availability.

Crucially, the bill extends coverage to non-teaching staff, acknowledging their key role in maintaining school operations and enabling teachers to focus on instruction.

In his address, Villanueva expressed deep gratitude to the DepEd community for their dedication to Filipino students.

“Maraming, maraming salamat po sa lahat ng inyong mga sakripisyo, dedikasyon, at pagmamahal para sa kabataang Pilipino,” Villanueva said. (“Thank you very much for all your sacrifice, dedication, and love for the Filipino youth.”)

“Lagi ko pong sinasabi na ang kabataan ang may-ari ng ating kinabukasan. Pero kayo pong mga guro ang humuhubog sa mga kamay na hahawak nito,” he added. (“I always say the youth own our future. But you, our teachers, shape the hands that will hold it.”)

The lawmaker, whose parents were both public school teachers, said his upbringing deeply connects him to the aspirations of educators.

“Saludo po tayo sa ating mga guro at teaching personnel. Pero higit sa palakpak, bigyan natin sila ng benepisyo at suporta, dahil ang nag-aalaga sa ating kinabukasan, dapat inaalagaan din,” Villanueva said. (“We salute our teachers and personnel. But beyond applause, let us give them benefits and support—because those who care for our future deserve to be cared for, too.”)