Hike in teachers’ benefits proposed

Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo has filed a bill increasing the medical and death benefits of all public school teachers.

Known as the "Public School Teachers’ Insurance Act of 2006," Arroyo proposed in the bill the reimbursement of actual medical expenses of all public school teachers up to a maximum of P100,000.

He said the reimbursement shall cover all public school teachers whether retired or still in active service.

Arroyo also called for an additional P50,000 in burial benefits and another P200,000 in death benefits for all public school teachers still in active service.

He said all these will be over and above the insurance benefits given by the Government Service Insurance System under Republic Act 8291.

In filing the bill, Arroyo noted that education is among the priorities of the state, along with science and technology, as provided for in Article 2 of the Constitution.

"Our country has an abundant supply of talented teachers. We hope these additional benefits will help lure the best minds into joining the teaching profession," he said.