SENATOR Raffy Tulfo has filed a measure seeking to provide hospital benefits and other privileges for public school teachers and their dependents.

In Senate Bill 1585, or the proposed Public School Teachers’ Hospital Benefits Act, Tulfo said public school teachers are the backbone of the Philippine education system, serving as frontliners in molding the nation’s future citizens while often enduring poor working conditions, limited health coverage, and exposure to occupational health risks.

In his explanatory note, Tulfo cited a 2023 study published in Acta Medica Philippina, which found that Filipino teachers experience high prevalence of stress-related disorders, hypertension, and musculoskeletal problems, compounded by insufficient access to preventive health care.

The senator stressed that despite the challenges, health and hospitalization benefits for public school teachers remain minimal and fragmented.

He added that the P7,000 annual medical allowance for teachers cannot sufficiently cover diagnostic, hospitalization, and dependent-related medical expenses.

The proposed measure seeks to institutionalize accessible and affordable hospital services for all public school teachers and their dependents.

It mandates all government hospital to provide preventive, promotive, diagnostic, curative, and rehabilitative health care; grant at least 10 percent discount on consultations and hospitalization expenses; and establish fast-lane facilities for teachers and dependents.