Teachers’ Month 2026: House Panel Approved Proposal to Increase Teachers’ Day Incentive from ₱1,000 to ₱3,000
In May 2026, the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, chaired by Pasig City Representative Roman Romulo, approved, subject to style, a measure seeking to institutionalize and increase the annual incentive granted to qualified public school teachers.
The proposal, House Bill No. 4531, was principally authored by Eastern Samar Representative Christopher Sheen Gonzales and House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan.
What Does House Bill No. 4531 Propose?
The proposed legislation seeks to establish the World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit as an annual benefit for public school teachers and increase its amount from ₱1,000 to ₱3,000.
Currently, the incentive is funded through the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA), with its release and amount dependent on authorized government appropriations.
Through HB 4531, the lawmakers propose to institutionalize the benefit through legislation rather than rely solely on annual budget provisions.
DepEd Expresses Support for the Proposed Increase
During the committee deliberations, Department of Education Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Learning Janir Datukan expressed the department’s support for HB 4531, subject to the necessary inter-agency fiscal coordination.
According to Datukan, institutionalizing the incentive is consistent with the government's policy of improving the economic welfare of public school teachers and strengthening their work incentives.
Representative Gonzales likewise explained that the proposal is intended to recognize the contributions of teachers to national development and acknowledge their dedication and service to Filipino learners.
What About the World Teachers’ Day Incentive for 2026?
While the proposed increase has already received committee approval, the ₱3,000 incentive has not been established as an authorized benefit for 2026.
The existing WTDIB remains at ₱1,000 for each qualified public school teacher, subject to applicable DepEd guidelines and funding provisions.
Under DepEd Order No. 29, s. 2020, the incentive is granted not earlier than October 5 of the current year. Its release is subject to the applicable annual appropriations and existing government budgeting, accounting, and auditing regulations.
In preparation for this year's celebration, DepEd regional offices have begun processing the incentive. For instance, DepEd Caraga issued Regional Memorandum No. 0959, s. 2026, dated September 17, concerning the Sub-Allotment Release Order for the World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit.
Has the Proposed ₱3,000 Incentive Been Approved?
The House Committee on Basic Education and Culture approved the measure on May 18, 2026. However, committee approval does not automatically make a proposed measure a law.
Further legislative action and the necessary government funding arrangements are required before the proposed increase can be implemented. The May 2026 committee approval has been confirmed, but enactment of HB 4531 into law has not been verified.
A Teachers’ Month Reminder
As National Teachers’ Month 2026 continues, HB 4531 brings renewed attention to the proposed increase in the World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit for public school teachers.
For this year's celebration, qualified teachers should continue to refer to official DepEd issuances regarding the processing and release of the existing ₱1,000 incentive.
Any future increase to ₱3,000 will depend on the completion of the legislative process and the applicable funding and implementation requirements.
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