A measure seeking to increase the annual teaching supplies allowance of public school teachers is inching its way into becoming a law after it was approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives.

During the plenary session on Tuesday, the chamber passed House Bill 9682, or the proposed Teaching Supplies Allowance Act, with 247 affirmative votes.

Under the bill, the yearly teaching allowance will increase from the current PHP5,000 to PHP7,500 per teacher for school year 2024-2025, and PHP10,000 per teacher in the succeeding school years.

Speaker Martin Romualdez said this much-needed allowance for teachers is long overdue, adding that the passage of this relevant bill would strengthen the House’s commitment to the welfare of the public school teachers.

He also expressed openness in harmonizing the measure with the Senate “as soon as possible.”

“The selfless service of our educators is priceless, and we hope to address one of the many concerns they have through the provision of this supplies allowance, which will not be subject to income tax,” Romualdez said.

Under Section 4 of HB 9682, the allowance can be used to buy tangible or intangible teaching supplies and materials, pay incidental expenses and implement or conduct various learning delivery modalities.

The amount necessary for implementing the proposed law will be included in the Department of Education (DepEd) budget in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).

In May, the Senate approved its counterpart bill, Senate Bill 1964, or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act. (PNA)