Press Release
October 7, 2013

JINGGOY SALUTES EDUCATORS ON WORLD TEACHERS DAY

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is commending all educators as we celebrate World Teachers Day.

"I salute all the teachers for their unwavering service to educate and develop the Filipino youth into becoming productive citizens of the country and partners in nation building. Ito ay magandang pagkakataon upang ipakita natin ang ating taos-pusong pasasalamat at pagsaludo sa ating mga bayaning guro," Jinggoy says.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared October 5 of every year as the World Teachers Day. The occasion is also celebrated in more than a hundred countries all over the globe to recognize and honor the invaluable service of teachers in societies.

On the local front, the Philippines is also observing the National Teachers' Month. President Aquino declared September 5 to October 5 the National Teachers' Month through Presidential Proclamation 242 signed last August 2011.

The lawmaker says the event is an opportune time to look into how our government values and takes care of its teachers, especially those in the public education system.

For his part, Sen. Estrada makes a pitch for legislative measures aimed at advancing the welfare of teachers. Jinggoy introduced Senate Bill 781 or the proposed Public School Teachers Tax Incentive Act which seeks to give tax exemption on allowances and benefits granted to all public school teachers, including those in state colleges and universities.

Under the explanatory note of the bill, Sen. Estrada says "The bill will also encourage teachers to opt to stay in the public school system to enhance the teaching-learning process. It cannot be ignored that the tax exemption on the income of teachers will result in extra money for them to spare for their other needs."

Moreover, Sen. Estrada also filed Senate Bill 754 or the "Teachers' Housing Program" which seeks to institute a housing program for teachers by providing funds through loans at affordable interest and long-term repayment period. The measure also seeks to involve the private sector in providing housing units exclusively for teachers through the grant of fiscal incentives.

Jinggoy notes that a survey reveals close to 100,000 public school teachers have no homes of their own, primarily due to low monthly income of less than 10,000 pesos.

Apart from these, Sen. Estrada filed a slew of legislative proposals for the protection of rights, promotion of welfare and professional advancement, and effective response to the concerns of the teaching personnel including: Senate Bill 1301 or the National Teachers Act which seeks to establish a Teacher Corps Program to strengthen the teaching profession; Senate Bill 1555 which seeks to create National Teachers Academies; Senate Bill 735 which seeks to further strengthen the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, among others.

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