Teaching Supply Allowance Pushed

The Senate is pushing a bill that seeks to provide teachers with allowances to purchase teaching supplies.

Senate Bill No. 1964, also called the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, has the full support of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.

Go co-sponsored SBN 1964 which aims to institutionalize the increase of teaching supplies allowances for public school teachers.

The principal sponsor of the said bill was Senator Ramon Revilla and also co-sponsored by Senators Robinhood Padilla, Sonny Angara, Jinggoy Estrada, Joel Villanueva, Mark Villar, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Win Gatchalian, Grace Poe, Miguel Zubiri, and Francis Tolentino.

According to the committee report, the proposed bill aims to increase the allowance for teaching supplies from P5,000 to P7,500 for the school year 2023-2024, and P10,000 for the school year 2024-2025.

The said allowance can be used to purchase teaching supplies and materials, including other teaching expenses. It is also not subject to income tax.

During a Senate Plenary session last Tuesday, March 14, Go expressed his concerns about the problems the teachers are facing especially now that face-to-face classes have returned.

Go emphasized the importance of providing teachers with enough teaching supply allowance to sustain their supply needs.

“Schools are now open, and most are now back to face-to-face classes. Ibig sabihin din po nito ay balik na rin ang matagal na pong problema ng ating mga guro, ang kawalan ng pambili ng chalk at iba pang teaching supplies,” Go said.

Go also said that because of the lack of allowance, teachers are forced to use their own money to purchase supplies to ensure their students have enough resources to learn.

Go acknowledges that teachers are the backbone of the education system. He also believes that the students are the future of the country.

“I believe that education is the key to a better future. And providing support for our teachers is also an investment in the future of our youth. We cannot afford to let our teachers and students suffer due to a lack of resources,” Go said.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is an advocate of an accessible and quality education for all Filipinos. Go co-authored and co-sponsored three bills that helped education in the Philippines, these are Senate Bill No. 1359 or the No Permit, No Exam Prohibition Act; Senate Bill No. 1360 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act; and Senate Bill No. 1864 or the Student Loan Payment Moratorium During Disasters and Emergencies Act. (ASC)