The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Tuesday that it will release the PHP7,000 annual medical allowance to public school teachers and non-teaching staff. This initiative is authorized by DepEd Order (DO) 16, aligning with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to support government employees with expanded healthcare assistance.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara stated that the move aims to alleviate health-related “stress” within the education workforce. “As emphasized by President Marcos, we want our teachers and staff to stay healthy without having to worry about medical bills,” he said. “This is our way of recognizing the commitment of our teachers and staff. This allowance is a way to give back and ensure they never have to choose between their health and the stress of medical bills.”
Under DO 16, qualified personnel have three options to avail of the allowance: DepEd-procured health maintenance organization (HMO) packages, individual HMO-type products through payroll, and direct cash payment in areas with limited HMO access. “HMO packages are greatly encouraged to include benefits for high-risk cases such as pregnant women, senior citizens, or persons with disabilities. Moreover, the HMO coverage shall be for a period of 12 months,” DO No. 16 reads.
Qualified recipients include permanent, co-terminus, fixed-term, casual, or contractual personnel who have rendered at least six months of service in 2025. Consultants, job order employees, apprentices, and student laborers are excluded. The PHP7,000 allowance will be released subject to existing budget, procurement, accounting, and auditing rules, as per Department of Budget and Management Circular No. 2024-6.