Sotto wants public school teachers exempted from paying taxes

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III has filed a bill seeking to exempt public school teachers from paying income taxes, which he said is a gift for the teachers’ unconditional love and sacrifice in molding the youth to be the future’s leaders.

Senate Bill 241 – an act providing tax relief to public school teachers by exempting them from income taxation, amending for the purpose Sections 22 and 24A of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended – seeks to exempt Teachers I, II and III from paying income tax.

“We recognize the inevitable fact that our teachers play a crucial and significant role. The future of our youth and nation lies in the nurturing hands of our teachers. We consider them as our modern day heroes,” Sotto said.

Reports had it that public school teachers are paid a minimum of P20,179, according to Salary Grade 11 of the third tranche of the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) in 2018.

Sotto said he filed the bill because he wanted to improve the economic status of the teachers, who upon entry level, receive only a little higher than the minimum wage.

By lifting the burden of paying the income tax, Sotto said teachers are given what they rightfully deserve. He added that holiday pay, overtime pay, night shift differential and hazard pay received by Teachers I, II and III will not be taxable.

“This bill is in consonance with the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers which aimed to promote and improve the social and economic status of public school teachers, their living and working conditions, their terms of employment and career prospects,” he said.

Senators of the 18th Congress will work to increase the salary of public school teachers so they can be at par with their counterparts from neighboring Asian countries, according to the Senate president.

‘No work during class suspensions’

As this developed, a teachers’ organization has reminded public school officials not to require teachers to report for work when classes are suspended due to inclement weather.

The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) issued the reminder after receiving reports that some teachers have been required by their officials to still report for work even if classes have already been suspended.

TDC chairman Benjo Basas cited a 2012 order of the Department of Education (DepEd) on the matter.

“The DepEd in fact recognizes that teachers may render Saturday classes in the future to make up for the loss of learning days with their students,” he said.

“At the moment of inclement weather, teachers, just like the students need to be safe in the comfort of our homes. We are not flood or waterproof, anyway,” he added.

Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said the order, which serves as guidelines for an executive order on the suspension of classes and work in government offices during weather disturbances, allows personnel handling canceled or suspended classes in public schools to leave their stations.

The order said this is in consideration of the work they will need to undertake during make-up classes.

“Heads of private schools shall exercise discretion on their teaching personnel handling canceled or suspended classes,” it added.  – With Janvic Mateo