Teacher Sylvia Aquino makes last-minute preparations inside a kindergarten classroom devoid of any decoration at  Pinyahan Elementary School in Quezon City on Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. Maria Tan ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday that public school teachers will receive additional benefits that will make their lives easier while performing their duties.

Among the benefits are already coming through the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which was enacted in June.

“Ito ay magbibigay sa mga guro sa pampublikong paaralan ng teaching allowance para pambili ng mga kagamitan sa pagtuturo at mga kaugnay na gastusin,” the President said.

(This will give public school teachers a teaching allowance they can use for teaching materials and other related expenses)

The law increases what used to be called a "chalk allowance" to P10,000 from a previous P5,000, bill author Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. said in June.

“Matatanggap na nila ito simula sa susunod na taon,” Marcos Jr. said Monday.

(They will get that starting next year)

READ: Large LED screen collapses at pro-Marcos SONA event

Public school teachers are also getting personal accident insurance from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

“Makakapaghatid na din ng dagdag ginhawa ang special allowance para sa mga karagdagang public school teachers na masasaklaw ito na makakaranas ng matinding hirap at panganib sa kanilang araw-araw na pagtatrabaho,” he said, referring to public school teachers in areas that are recognized as "hardship posts".

(The special allowance for public school teachers covered by it will also bring relief to those who are experiencing hardships and risks in their daily duties)

President Marcos also promised to free teachers from being inconvenienced by unpaid debts.

READ: Marcos delivers third SONA

“Hindi magiging hadlang ang kanilang mga utang upang makapag-renew ng kanilang lisensya. Marapat lamang na sila ay payagan pa ring makapagturo nang sila ay makapag-hanapbuhay at may kinikita,” said the President.

(Their debts will not be a hindrance to renewing their licenses. It is only right that they be allowed to teach so they will have a livelihood and can earn)

Marcos Jr. also said in his SONA that additional personnel will also be provided to free teachers from responsibilities beyond their teaching profession.

"Clearly, the quality of our education rests on the quality of our future. Every classroom that we build will be an empty and lifeless structure without its moving force: the teacher," said Marcos Jr. 

"But our teachers are not just perfunctional figures in our schools, they are the very foundation of our educational system. As we build our schools, so do we must uplift our teachers."

SONA: Mga batas na prayoridad ni Pangulong Marcos 

Marcos Jr. also said that the government has already allocated funds for the implementation of the expanded career progression system for our public school teachers.

This will give teachers the opportunity for career growth as they choose between two paths: the teaching and the school administration track.

"Each of which shall have ample career growth activity. Sa sistemang ito wala nang public school teacher na magre-retire na Teacher 1 lamang," he said.

(Under this system, no school teacher will retire as Teacher 1)

The President, however, did not mention a salary hike for public school teachers.