Magandang balita dahil simula sa susunod na taon ay makakatanggap na ang mga public school teachers ng expanded healthcare benefits.
Ayon sa Department of Education (DepEd), alinsunod sa Executive Order No. 64, series of 2024, ang mga eligible government civilian personnel, na kinabibilangan ng mga guro, ay pagkakalooban ng pamahalaan ng annual medical allowance na hanggang P7,000.
Anang DepEd, “This significant increase from the Php 500 medical examination allowance provided in 2020 marks a substantial enhancement in support for teachers’ health and well-being.”
Layunin umano ng naturang allowance na i-subsidize ang halaga ng health maintenance organization (HMO)-type benefits.
“If we pool that together, we can secure comprehensive insurance coverage for our teachers,” ayon kay Education Secretary Sonny Angara. “This adjustment represents a 1,300% increase from the Php 500 medical allowance granted in 2020, which was primarily intended to cover the cost of eligible diagnostic tests, as outlined in Department Order No. 28, s. 2020.”
Bilang karagdagan pa sa naturang medical allowance, ang mga public school teachers ay tatanggap din ng 5,000 tax-free teaching allowance para sa School Year 2024-2025.
Ito ay dahil sa Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act o Republic Act 11997, na co-authored ni Angara noong siya ay nasa Senado pa.
Ang naturang allowance ay inaasahan namang tataas pa sa P10,000 simula naman sa School Year 2025-2026.
Kaugnay nito, pinaalalahanan ng DepEd ang kanilang teaching at non-teaching personnel na sila ay eligible na maghain ng claims sa ilalim ng Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)-issued Personal Accident Insurance (GPAI) policy.
Ang naturang polisiya ay nagbibigay ng coverage para sa accidental death o dismemberment na hanggang P100,000 at medical reimbursement na hanggang P30,000 para sa pagkasugat.