Extra stipend for teachers gains support

CEBU, Philippines – The Talisay City Council will push for a resolution supporting the petition for additional instructional material allowance of P3,000 per month for public school teachers of basic and higher education nationwide.

In proposed resolution No.  2015-08-1, City Councilor Richard Francis Aznar, chairman of the Committee on Education, said the council will support the call for the additional benefits for teachers, including those who are teaching in the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education.

"The teachers’ meager pay is further reduced by the cost of instructional materials that they often have to dig out of their own pockets," read Aznar’s resolution.

House Bill 039 proposes to give a monthly instructional material allowance of P3,000 to public school teachers.

Baguio City Representative Nicasio Aliping Jr. filed the bill in Congress.

The bill states that “the amount provided as instructional material allowance for public school teachers under this section shall be subject to regular adjustment every five years. The extent of the adjustment shall be determined by the agency concerned with the implementation of this (Act) in coordination with the Department of Budget and Management.”