LAWMAKER PUSHES FOR ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR SUC AND TVI PERSONNEL
/ 4 January 2026
SENATOR Joel Villanueva is advocating for a measure that would provide additional benefits for all teaching and non-teaching personnel in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and state-run Technical and Vocational Institutions (TVIs).
In his Senate Bill 1605, or the proposed Additional Allowances for SUC and TVI Personnel Act, Villanueva emphasized that the public higher and technical education system thrives because of the dedication, sacrifice, and perseverance of both teaching and non-teaching staff.
He noted that these personnel are expected to fulfill their mandates under increasingly challenging conditions, such as rising living costs, limited resources, and heavier workloads, with minimal institutional support beyond their basic salaries.
The bill aims to address this gap by providing full-time teaching personnel in SUCs and state-run TVIs with regular, tangible support to help cover daily needs.
Specifically, Villanueva proposes a quarterly P3,000 allowance for groceries and transportation and a P2,000 quarterly medical allowance.
The proposed allowances would be adjusted every three years to account for inflation and would be tax-exempt.
“These allowances are not just financial assistance,” Villanueva said, “but part of a broader effort to uphold the State’s constitutional mandate to prioritize education—not only through facilities or access, but also by recognizing and supporting the people who drive its delivery.”
