QUEZON City 5th District Rep. PM Vargas is pushing for a measure creating plantilla positions in the Department of Education for volunteer teachers with at least five years of continuous service in public school system.

Under House Bill 4076 or the proposed Plantilla Poisiton for Volunteer Teachers, Vargas stressed the need to recognize the importance of education in nation-building and the vital role of teachers in guiding and teaching the youth into being productive members of society.

“Teachers, who practice the most noble profession, must be given the value they deserve for their services,” Vargas said in his explanatory note.

The lawmaker explained based on the present system in order to augment the shortage of teachers in public school system, volunteer teachers are hired on a temporary basis.

He said volunteer teachers gained experience and may apply for a full-time post in case of vacancy, but a plantilla position is never guaranteed.

“Volunteer teachers are highly in-demand due to the shortage of teachers in the public school system of the Philippines,” Vargas added.

Based on information as of 2019, public schools are in need of 31,400 new teachers.

The measure mandates the Department of Education to create plantilla positions for volunteer teachers who have rendered at least five years of continuous service in the primary and secondary public school system.

This is under the condition the volunteer teacher must possess the appropriate qualifications and submit the necessary requirement for civil service eligibility.