By Teachers’ Dignity Coalition national chairman Benjo Basas
We have renewed our appeal to the Department of Education (DepEd) for a dialogue on the implementation of the P7,000 medical allowance for teachers and personnel, citing continued delays and logistical hurdles in the rollout of a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)-based system.
In another letter to Secretary Sonny Angara, we urged the department to consider releasing the allowance in cash for this year. The delay has left teachers without the means to cover mandatory annual medical checkups, which are supposed to be provided free of charge under Republic Act 4670, or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers.
The amount could be used to cover expenses for the compulsory check-up and other urgent medical requirements, considering time constraints and logistical difficulties in processing HMO enrollments for nearly a million DepEd employees.
In its April 28 response, DepEd, through Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organizational Development Dr. Wilfredo Cabral, acknowledged the complexity of the rollout but described it as an opportunity to secure a more comprehensive healthcare package for personnel through HMOs.
While the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition appreciates the department’s long-term vision, we maintain that the cash option remains the most viable short-term solution given the delays. If teachers have already undergone their mandated medical examinations, it would be more practical to release the allowance in cash.
We also welcomed Secretary Angara’s recent remarks, made during a May 19 public statement, indicating openness to either cash or HMO-based implementation, provided it is legal and beneficial to teachers.
Bukas tayong pag-usapan kung HMO man yan o cash. Basta legal at makakatulong agad, game tayo, Angara was quoted as saying.
This is a positive sign, but we urge the DepEd to fast-track the process of selecting a reputable HMO provider for long-term implementation, one that can issue health cards with broad coverage, ensuring that teachers and personnel have timely access to quality medical services.
The DepEd is authorized by the Department of Budget and Management under Budget Circular 2024-6 to formulate internal policies for the implementation of the medical allowance, as provided under President Marcos Executive Order 64, signed in August 2024.