THE COMMITTEE on Basic Education and Culture at the House of Representatives on Tuesday approved, subject to amendments and the submission of position papers by resource persons and guests, the substitute bill that seeks to institutionalize support mechanisms and protection for teachers.

Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, the chairman of the committee, said the focus of the bill is Section 5, which exempts teachers from Republic Act 7610, commonly known as Child Abuse Law.

“May mga teachers din na kawawa talaga. Wala rin talagang ginawa, tapos biglang kakasuhan. Talagang kawawa ‘yung retirement pay,” he said.

The bill, which also covers other school personnel, substituted House Bills 364, 549 and 6940 authored by Reps. Marissa ‘Del Mar’ Magsino, France Castro, and Edwin Olivarez.

Castro said that while child protection is indispensable, teacher protection is also a must.

The bill seeks to amend RA 7610 so that any act of a teacher or a school personnel, pursuant to the disciplinary rules and procedures of the DepEd, shall no longer be deemed as child abuse.

Castro’s bill aims to institutionalize support mechanisms for teachers and school personnel in matters of classroom management and discipline.