TessDrive gives you the latest policy updates, legislative movements, and structural reforms within the Philippine education sector, highlighting how lawmakers are acting to secure student well-being and uplift our nation’s educators.
Stricter safety reforms sought after deadly school shooting
Following a fatal shooting incident inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City last June 22, House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan urged Congress to consider tighter restrictions on minors’ access to social media, evaluate juvenile justice standards, and resolve the severe lack of mental health personnel in public schools. The tragedy involved two Grade 9 students, aged 14 and 15, who allegedly opened fire inside classrooms, killing three fellow students and injuring 20 others.
Libanan emphasized that the incident must prompt policymakers to review whether current legal frameworks adequately shield children from destructive digital communities and extreme acts of violence. He pointed to Australia’s strict social media prohibitions for minors under 16 as a potential template for local legislation. Additionally, the former House justice committee chairman called for an evidence-based review of Republic Act No. 9344 (the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act) specifically regarding the legal concept of discernment for minors aged 15 to 18.
Libanan stated: “We cannot ignore the possibility that unrestricted exposure to harmful online content and violent digital communities may be influencing vulnerable young minds. Congress, together with our internet regulators, should seriously study reasonable restrictions on social media access for minors, consistent with our Constitution and the protection of children’s welfare.
“Congress has a responsibility to undertake a careful and evidence-based review of our juvenile justice law. We must continue protecting children while ensuring that our legal framework remains responsive to exceptionally grave offenses.”
The lawmaker also targeted the public school system’s critical deficit of mental health workers. During national budget deliberations, Education Secretary Sonny Angara reported that the Department of Education (DepEd) requires over 50,000 licensed guidance counselors to hit the internationally recommended 1:250 counselor-to-student ratio. Currently, the country has only 4,069 licensed counselors.
Libanan added: “Every public school should have adequate access to professional guidance counselors who can identify behavioral problems early, provide timely intervention, and help prevent violence before lives are lost. Prevention must always remain our first line of defense.”
To address the gap, Libanan urged DepEd and the Commission on Higher Education to roll out scholarship programs and career incentives that encourage qualified teachers to pursue master’s degrees in guidance and counseling or psychology. (Story courtesy of the House of Representatives of the Philippines)
Increased P3,000 Teachers’ Day bonus approved
The House committee on basic education and culture approved a legislative measure to increase the annual World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) to P3,000 for more than 950,000 public school teachers nationwide. The 66-member panel, led by Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo, endorsed House Bill No. 4531 for plenary approval. Authored by Eastern Samar Lone District Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and co-authored by Minority Leader Libanan, the bill aims to permanently institutionalize the benefit, which has been granted provisionally through the General Appropriations Act since 2019.
Under current DepEd guidelines, qualified educators receive a P1,000 incentive every Oct. 5. The 2026 national budget allocated P983.5 million to sustain the current P1,000 rate, but expanding the payout to P3,000 will require an annual congressional allocation of at least P2.95 billion.
Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales said: “We are deeply grateful to the Romulo committee for endorsing this important measure. Our teachers play a vital role in shaping the nation’s future. Increasing the WTDIB is not only about extending financial support — it is also a meaningful recognition of the dedication, hard work, and sacrifices our educators make every day.” (Story courtesy of the House of Representatives of the Philippines)
For more news and information, visit the official website https://www.congress.gov.ph/.