SENATE Majority Leader Joel Villanueva renewed his call for additional allowances and benefits for teachers.

Villanueva made the call after he received the Gawad Sulo Award for Public Service from the Philippine Normal University for his unwavering work to elevate the welfare of leducators.

The PNU Gawad Sulo is the highest award given by the institution to exemplar individuals, groups or organizations that have made significant strides to the development of learning, including teacher education.

“Receiving this award comes with a feeling of grace and gratitude. Most importantly, it’s a reminder to always rise above oneself, especially for the cause of our teachers who change lives, shape minds and mold futures,” Villanueva said.

“For the far-reaching role they play, our teachers deserve better,” he added.

Villanueva said his father, Jesus Is Lord founder and lawmaker Eddie Villanueva, and his late mother Adoracion Jose-Villanueva, were public school teachers for many years.

In the 19th Congress, Villanueva filed four bills for the improvement of teachers’ welfare including Senate Bill 564 or Additional Allowance for Public Basic Education Act; Senate Bill 565 or Additional allowances for SUCs and TVI Personnel Act; Senate Bill 736 or Free Healthcare for All SUC personnel Act; and Senate Bill 1045 or Teaching supplies for Public Basic Education Personnel Act.

Villanueva also authored and co-sponsored Republic Act 11713 or Excellence in Teacher Education Act which seeks to increase the standards of institutions by providing innovative and relevant education and training programs for incoming and current teachers.