AS PART of the ongoing celebration of National Teachers’ Month, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has committed to advocating for additional benefits and career opportunities for public school teachers.

Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, attended Pasinaya, the 2024 World Teacher’s Day celebration hosted by the Division of Davao Oriental on September 27 in Caraga, Davao Oriental.

“I extend my gratitude to our teachers for their crucial role in shaping the youth into responsible and capable citizens. In recognition of their contributions to our country, we are continuing to push for legislation that promotes their welfare,” Gatchalian said.

The senator reiterated his support for several key bills aimed at benefiting public school teachers, including Senate Bill No. 2493 (Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers), Senate Bill No. 2827 (Career Progression System for Public School Teachers Act), and Senate Bill No. 2840 (Amendment to Republic Act No. 7836, the Philippine Teachers Professionalization Act of 1994).

The Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers seeks to institutionalize additional benefits and improve working conditions. This proposed law covers the grant of calamity leave, special hardship allowance, protection from out-of-pocket expenses, prohibition of non-teaching tasks, and the reduction of teaching hours from six to four, among other benefits.

Meanwhile, the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers Act aims to provide teachers with more career development options in teaching, school administration, and supervision. The bill proposes the creation of new positions such as Teacher IV, Teacher V, Teacher VI, Teacher VII, and Master Teacher V.