By Jose Cielito Reganit
MANILA – House Assistant Minority Leader and Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales has filed a bill that would triple the World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB), giving every public school teacher under the Department of Education (DepEd) a PHP3,000 cash gift instead of the current PHP1,000.
House Bill 4531, which Gonzales filed on Sept. 11, would also make permanent the WTDIB that Congress first granted to public school teachers six years ago through a simple item insertion in the General Appropriations Law of 2019.
Based on existing DepEd guidelines, the WTDIB is released to the country’s more than 950,000 public school teachers not earlier than Oct. 5 of each year, in time for the annual celebration of World Teachers’ Day.
“Teachers are the bedrock of nation-building. By increasing the WTDIB, we are not just providing financial assistance — we are sending a clear message that the country values the dedication and sacrifice of our educators,” Gonzales, a member of the House committee on basic education and culture, said in a statement on Monday.
He said the proposed increase would not only help teachers cope with the rising cost of living but also serve as a tangible gesture of support for their professional commitment.
“When we invest in teachers, we invest in the next generation of Filipinos. Our bill is a step toward creating an environment where educators feel valued, supported, and empowered to give their best,” Gonzales said.
“This is more than just an incentive. This is an expression of national gratitude. Our teachers work tirelessly, often beyond the classroom, to ensure that every child has a chance to succeed. They deserve a meaningful token of appreciation that reflects their contribution to our collective future.”
The country is currently observing National Teachers’ Month from Sept. 5 to Oct. 5.
World Teachers’ Day is celebrated every Oct. 5 as declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), highlighting the critical role of teachers in guiding learners and shaping the future of societies worldwide.
In the Philippines, Republic Act 10743 declared Oct. 5 as National Teachers’ Day, aligning the country’s observance with the global celebration and recognizing the invaluable contributions of educators to national development. (PNA)
