Angara, lawmakers sign IRR of ‘Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act’

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

TEACHING ALLOWANCE. Education Secretary Sonny Angara (center) and lawmakers show the signed copy of the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 11997, or the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo” Act, at the Senate on Wednesday (Aug. 7, 2024). Under the law, teachers will receive PHP5,000 for the school year 2024-2025 and PHP10,000 thereafter to cover expenses for teaching supplies, incidental costs, and various learning delivery methods. (Photo: DepEd Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) No. 11997 or the “Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo” Act, which provides a teaching allowance to public school teachers, was signed on Wednesday by Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara just after his ad interim appointment was approved by the Commission on Appointments at the Senate.

Intending to cover expenses for teaching supplies, incidental costs, and various learning delivery methods, the teachers will receive PHP5,000 for the school year 2024-2025 and PHP10,000 thereafter.

“Actually, as we speak, ibibigay na dapat yan. Even without the IRR pwede nang ibigay yun kasi nakalagay dun sa law na (Actually, as we speak, that should already be given. Even without the IRR, that can be given because it is stated in the law that) the law is executory even without implementing rules,” Angara told Senate reporters during a press briefing.

Based on the IRR, the teaching allowance shall be given to entitled DepEd public school teachers “not earlier than the official start of every school year, as stipulated in the annual issuance on the official School Calendar in accordance with the law.”

Teachers qualified to receive the allowance include guidance counselors, librarians, and vocational instructors.

Those without teaching loads and on extended leave are excluded.

The funding comes from the DepEd budget and the General Appropriations Act.

Angara was joined by senators and members of the House of Representatives who hailed the DepEd chief’s swift action on the crafting of the law’s IRR.

Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., the principal author and sponsor of the law at the Senate, said the approval of the IRR is the “culmination of the long process” towards the finalization of the measure.

Revilla also cited the event as one of the first acts of Angara’s good and promising administration of DepEd.