A lawmaking tandem from the Solid North has filed a bill mandating the provision of health maintenance organization (HMO) coverage for all public school teachers.
Abra lone district Rep. JB Bernos and Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos have filed House Bill No. 6512, or the “TeachCare bill”, in a bid to ensure the welfare of public school teachers who are overburdened by their workload.
“At risk po ang ating mga guro dahil sa kanilang trabaho, pero marami sa kanila ang pinipiling tiisin ang kanilang karamdaman dahil maaari nilang ikabaon sa utang ang dagdag na gastusin para sa kanilang kalusugan.”
Under the bill, teachers who have served in public schools for at least six months will be entitled to medical and dental HMO coverage as part of their employment benefits.
“Considering the demands required of them in the conduct of their duties, it is only right that we provide support to teachers through HMO coverage so they could look after their health without fear that doing so would further deplete their already meager salaries,” said Rep. JB Bernos.
He said that the proposal comes after reports by the Department of Education and Alliance of Concerned Teachers showing that teachers spend a substantial portion of their income on medical and dental expenses.
Rep. Ching Bernos, meanwhile, said that the bill would institutionalize and hopefully expand Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., providing an annual medical allowance of up to P7,000 to government civilian personnel including public school teachers.
According to the solon, “if there is one sector deserving of added support through HMO coverage, it is that of our educators who put in long hours doing teaching and administrative duties, and go home to do more of the same.”
“At risk po ang ating mga guro dahil sa kanilang trabaho, pero marami sa kanila ang pinipiling tiisin ang kanilang karamdaman dahil maaari nilang ikabaon sa utang ang dagdag na gastusin para sa kanilang kalusugan.”
