THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday said it is set to release the PHP7,000 worth of annual medical allowance to public school teachers and non-teaching staff.

DepEd Order (DO) 16 that authorizes the release is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to support government employees with expanded healthcare assistance in the country.

In a statement, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said the move intends to alleviate the health-related “stress” within the education workforce.

“As emphasized by President Marcos, we want our teachers and staff to stay healthy without having to worry about medical bills,” he said.

“This is our way of recognizing the commitment of our teachers and staff. This allowance is a way to give back and ensure they never have to choose between their health and the stress of medical bills.”

Under the DO 16 guidelines on the Grant of Medical Allowance to the Department of Education personnel, qualified teachers and non-teaching staff have three options to avail of the medical allowance.

These include DepEd-procured health maintenance organization (HMO) packages under group enrollment; individual availing of new or renewal of existing HMO-type products through payroll; and direct cash payment through payroll in areas with limited to no access to HMO areas, as well as in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas.

“HMO packages are greatly encouraged to include benefits for high-risk cases such as pregnant women, senior citizens, or persons with disabilities. Moreover, the HMO coverage shall be for a period of 12 months,” DO No. 16 reads.

Moreover, qualified recipients include permanent, co-terminus, fixed-term, casual or contractual personnel who have rendered at least six months of service in 2025.

Excluded from the program, however, are consultants, job order employees, apprentices and student laborers who have no employer-employee relationship with the DepEd.

In terms of disbursement, the PHP7,000 medical allowance, either for group or individual availment, will be released subject to the existing budget, procurement, accounting, and auditing rules and regulations of the Department of Budget and Management Circular No. 2024-6. (PNA)