MORE than 983,000 public school teachers under the Department of Education are set to receive the P1,000 World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB).

Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales said P983.5 million has been allocated for this year’s benefit under the 2026 General Appropriations Law.

“The P983.5 million funding for this year’s WTDIB is line-itemized in the 2026 General Appropriations Law, with a special provision to guarantee its timely release,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales, a member of the House committees on appropriations and basic education and culture, assured teachers that the incentive would remain a priority.

He also said he and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan have filed House Bill No. 4531, seeking to increase the benefit from P1,000 to P3,000.

The measure was approved by the 66-member House Committee on Basic Education and Culture in May.

The bill also seeks to make the WTDIB a permanent benefit. Congress first granted the incentive to public school teachers through a line-item provision in the 2019 General Appropriations Law.

Under existing law and DepEd guidelines, qualified public school teachers receive the P1,000 incentive every October 5 in observance of World Teachers’ Day.

World Teachers’ Day has been celebrated every October 5 since 1994 under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to recognize the vital role of teachers in society.

In the Philippines, Republic Act No. 10743 declares October 5 as National Teachers’ Day in recognition of the dedication and compassion of Filipino educators.

Gonzales said the proposed increase would serve as a tangible expression of the country’s gratitude to public school teachers.

“Public school teachers are the backbone of our education system. They deserve recognition not just in words but through tangible support,” he said.