The Senate on Monday, May 22, unanimously passed a measure that aims to improve the welfare of public school teachers by increasing their teaching allowance in addition to their regular salaries.

Senate Bill No. 1964 or the Kabalikat ng Pagtuturo Act was passed on the third and final reading, with 22 affirmative votes, and is inches away from becoming a law.

The measure, authored and sponsored by Senator Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., seeks to gradually increase the teaching allowance from ₱5,000 to ₱7,500 in the school year 2023 - 2024 and to 10,000 in 2024 - 2025.

Marking a crucial step toward providing financial support to public school teachers, the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act also aims to address the challenges faced by teachers in purchasing classroom supplies and to ease the financial burden.

By providing a teaching allowance, the passing of the measure underscored the government’s commitment to investing in the education sector and prioritizing the welfare of public school teachers.

Revilla thanked his fellow lawmakers for their help in pushing the bill.

"Isang hakbang pa lamang ito sa marami pa rin nating mga ipapasang panukala upang bigyang-sandata ang ating mga guro lalo na't ang kanilang papel na ginagampanan sa buhay ng ating mga kabataan ay hindi matatawaran,” the Senator said.

Written by Stephanie Anne Santos, DZRH News Online Intern