REP. Teodorico Haresco Jr. filed a measure seeking to increase educational allowance for foreign service personnel.

Haresco, from the second district of Aklan, is looking to amend Republic Act 7157 or the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991 in pushing for House Bill 4169.

The lawmaker noted the vital role of Foreign Service Officers, as a facet of growth, is one that cannot be overemphasized.

“Foreign Service Officers, on top of performing public duty, make the ultimate sacrifice of leaving the comfort of their home country,” the lawmaker stressed.

“And while it is impossible to measure in monetary terms the sacrifice laid down by these gallant public servants, it is the State’s bounden duty to at least recognize and reciprocate their efforts,” he added.

HB 4169 will amend Sections 63 and 72 of RA 7157 to increase the amount and coverage of education allowance for Foreign Service Officers.

The proposed amendments will increase the reimbursable amount of education allowance to the actual costs incurred in education of legal dependents of Foreign Service Officers numbering not more than four.

“These amendments seek to encourage Foreign Service Officers to bring their family in their country of assignment and give their children the best possible education befitting of their status,” Haresco further stressed.