Kimberly Capuyan

Public school teachers will receive expanded healthcare benefits, along with the P7,000 medical allowance for government employees, starting 2025.

Photo Courtesy of DepEd/Philippine STAR.

According to the Department on Education (DepEd), the government will provide an annual medical allowance of up to Php 7,000 to eligible government civilian personnel, including public school teachers.

The allowance is pursuant to Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024, which was signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last August 2.

Deped said the allowance was intended to subsidize the cost of health maintenance organization (HMO)-type benefits.

"If we pool that together, we can secure comprehensive insurance coverage for our teachers," Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement on August 20.

“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,” he added.

DepEd also provided a Php 5,000 tax-free teaching allowance for public school teachers for the School Year 2024-2025.

The teaching allowance is expected to double to Php 10,000 in the school year 2025-2026 and beyond, as per the Republic Act 11997 or Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, co-authored by Angara.

DepEd said that its teaching and non-teaching personnel are eligible to file claims under the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) issued Personal Accident Insurance (GPAI) policy. 

The policy will cover accidental death or dismemberment up to P100,000 and medical reimbursement up to P30,000 for injuries.