SENATOR Mark Villar has filed a bill seeking to establish free on-site living facilities for public school teachers, especially those assigned to remote and hard-to-reach areas, in a bid to improve their working conditions and ensure quality education delivery across the country.

Senate Bill No. 264, or the “Act Establishing Free On-Site Living Facilities for Public School Teachers and Providing Funds Therefor,” aims to ease the financial and physical burden of long commutes for teachers, many of whom are deployed far from their hometowns.

According to the bill’s explanatory note, the Department of Education recorded 20.8 million students enrolled in public schools for the 2024–2025 academic year.

In response to the growing demand, the Department of Budget and Management recently approved the creation of 16,000 new teaching positions for school year 2025–2026.

“These statistics illustrate a significant demand for public school teachers, which is crucial to ensuring that quality education remains accessible and affordable for all Filipino children,” Villar said.

He emphasized that many teachers are assigned to geographically isolated schools, often requiring them to rent lodging near their workplaces at their own expense to avoid the stress and risks of long daily commutes.

“To optimize their time and reduce exhaustion, numerous teachers opt to bear the expenses associated with board and lodging instead of facing the financial and physical toll of daily travel,” the bill noted.

The proposed measure mandates the government to construct and maintain adequate on-site living quarters for teachers stationed in remote areas.

The initiative not only aims to ease financial pressures but also to recognize the dedication and perseverance of educators.

“It is only right for the government to recognize the dedication and perseverance of these modern-day heroes by prioritizing their welfare,” Villar said. “Such recognition will enable them to effectively deliver quality education to their students.”

Villar stressed that improving teachers’ living conditions is essential to sustaining a robust and inclusive education system. With accessible and comfortable housing, teachers can focus more on their professional responsibilities and students’ needs.