DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman believes that the country’s teachers have the power to shape the nation.
The DBM allotted a total of P38.63 billion in the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) that will benefit over 900,000 public school teachers. The budget will be used for their career advancement and allowances to alleviate difficult working conditions, under the Programs, Activities, Projects (PAPs) of the Department of Education (DepEd).
She likewise acknowledged the crucial role of teachers in molding the minds of the Filipino youth.
“I believe that the development of our country is fueled by education, skills, and talent. And this could only be achieved with the dedication, hard work, and passion of our teachers. Hindi natin dapat pabayaan ang ating mga guro,” Pangandaman emphasized.
“Our teachers have the power to shape our nation by molding our future leaders to be even better citizens. Teachers always carry with them the potential to influence and make a difference in the young lives they touch,” the Secretary added.
Allocation for teachers’ training
The amount of P2.16 billion is allotted for a training program to foster and support the professional and career advancement of personnel in schools and learning centers, as well as teaching personnel who serve managerial, supervisory, and administrative functions at the Schools Division Offices (SDOs), Regional Offices (ROs), and Central Office (CO).
Funding for teaching positions
A total of P26.10 billion will fund new school personnel positions—broken down into P5.47 billion for the creation of 20,000 teaching positions; and P20.63 billion to fill 37,813 vacant teaching positions.
An allocation under the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund (MPBF) was also provided for the creation of 5,000 non-teaching positions in support of DepEd’s MATATAG agenda to provide adequate manpower support to teachers to teach better. These non-teaching positions will address the need to unload teachers of administrative, ancillary, and/or non-teaching tasks so they can focus on providing quality instruction to learners.
Allowances for teachers
An allocation of P4.83 billion in cash allowances—or P5,000 per classroom teacher for every school year—shall augment expenses for teaching supplies and materials, internet subscription and other communication expenses, and for annual medical examination.
Meanwhile, the amount of P374.98 million will provide for the Alternative Learning System (ALS)-Transportation and Teaching Aid Allowance for ALS coordinators and implementers; P3.77 billion for the Special Hardship Allowance (SHA), an additional compensation to teachers assigned in schools categorized as “hardship areas” (where commuting is difficult, among other hazards peculiar to the place of employment); P912.26 million for World Teacher’s Day Incentive; and P482.06 million as Honoraria for Teaching Overload, to compensate teaching personnel whose teaching load exceeds six (6) hours per day of actual classroom teaching.
“Rest assured that on the part of DBM, we will continue to fulfill President Bongbong Marcos’ directive to support our teachers by providing for their needs. We recommit to listening and providing assistance in the best way we can so they may fully deploy their talent and vocation and rethink the way ahead for their profession,” the Secretary stressed.