CAMARINES Sur 2nd District Representative LRay Villafuerte urged his colleagues at the House of Representatives to pass two measures that will improve the welfare of public school teachers.

“I am hoping that the House could give priority attention after the break to a measure bumping up the salaries and making permanent an allowance for the teaching supplies of our 800,000 public schoolteachers,” Villafuerte said.

The lawmaker was referring to House Bills 1851 and 1849.

House Bill 1851 proposes a significant increase in the salary grade level of public elementary and high school teachers.

Meanwhile, House Bill 1849 seeks to make permanent the P5,000 school supply allowance that public school teachers have been receiving since the start of the Covid19 pandemic.

Villafuerte wants the lower chamber to approve the bills once sessions resume on May 8.

“Despite their heavy workload and essential role as agents of constructive intellectual, social, cultural, political and moral change in our society, our public school teachers are among the most underpaid workers in the country,” the lawmaker said.

“Increasing their take home pay and providing for a permanent teaching supplies allowance with a provision for a steady bump per school year will hopefully incentivize them to strive for excellence in their field and make teaching a more attractive profession for our students,” he added.