EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones ordered the early release of the P5,000 cash allowance for teachers.

“Our teachers have consistently shown their immediate support to our commitment to deliver quality education amidst the pandemic. We want to consistently support them back through all available means while we explore more ways to help them,” Briones said.

In a memorandum issued to field offices by Undersecretary for Finance Annalyn Sevilla and Assistant Secretary for Finance Ramon Fiel Abcede on June 15, Briones approved the release of the cash allowance starting June 15, 2021, ahead of the still to be determined opening of School Year 2021-2022.

As indicated in the budget law for 2021, the P5,000 cash allowance is intended for the purchase of teaching supplies and materials, for the conduct of various modes of learning, internet, and other communication expenses and for annual medical examination of teachers.

The circular will cover all permanent and provisional public school teachers, including Alternative Learning System Mobile and District ALS Coordinators, in all public elementary, junior and senior high schools and community learning centers.

Meanwhile, teachers with no teaching load, absence without leave, who are on an indefinite leave of absence, maternity leave, study leave, guilty of any offense in connection with their work and those who no longer in service as of the official start of the school year are not entitled to the grant of the cash allowance.

However, those who resume their duty after their leave and are assigned with at least one teaching load in School Year 2021-2022 will be entitled to cash allowance on a pro-rata basis.

“This P5,000 cash allowance is only the start of our support efforts for our teachers in preparation for the upcoming school year. With the help of Congress and our stakeholders, we have lined up more initiatives to ensure teachers’ welfare,” Briones said.