Public school teachers to get HMO coverage, P7K medical allowance under proposed bill
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan has filed House Bill 10990, aiming to provide a comprehensive health insurance package for public school teachers.
If passed, the legislation could benefit nearly one million teachers across the country. Photo by The EdLines.
The proposed measure includes an annual medical allowance of P7,000 and seeks to make Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)-type coverage a permanent part of the benefits offered by the Department of Education (DepEd).
The bill aligns with DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara’s plan to pool the annual P7,000 medical allowance starting in 2025.
The allowance is part of Executive Order No. 64, signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., which significantly increased support for public school teachers from a previous P500 medical examination allowance.
“Our goal in filing the bill is to make sure that the grant of expanded healthcare benefits to our public school teachers becomes a regular and permanent part of the benefits they receive from the government,” Yamsuan said in a statement.
If passed, Yamsuan said the legislation could benefit nearly one million teachers across the country.
Under the bill, qualified teachers would receive an annual medical allowance to help DepEd secure a contract with an HMO on their behalf. The amount will undergo a mandatory review every three years to ensure it remains sufficient and in line with market prices.
The proposal also emphasizes preventive healthcare, allowing teachers to access services like doctor visits and specialist care without worrying about high medical costs.
Yamsuan noted that many teachers currently face tough choices when they fall ill, often deciding between working while sick or taking unpaid leave, which can strain their finances.
“Providing quality healthcare to public school teachers would result in healthier and happier educators, which would then help ensure higher-quality education and better learning environments for all students,” Yamsuan said, as reported by Manila Bulletin.
