DepEd starts survey on teachers' preference over P7K health subsidy

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday launched a survey to identify public school teachers and non-teaching staff's preference for their P7,000 medical allowance.

This is in accordance with Executive Order No. 64, series of 2024 signed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. which grants an annual subsidy to all eligible government employees for the cost of health maintenance organization (HMO) services starting in 2025.

"The Department of Education (DepEd), through the Bureau of Human Resources and Organizational Development (BHROD), is currently conducting an online survey to assess the preferences of DepEd employees in availing of medical services and to gather baseline data on HMO and other health insurance needs," the DepEd said in an advisory.

All public school teachers and DepEd staff were urged to accomplish the survey before the end of September, it said.

"All permanent/regular/plantilla employees of DepEd, both teaching and non-teaching, from all governance levels, are encouraged to participate in the survey. This includes employees of any rank, gender, age, ethnicity, and persons with disabilities (PWDs)," it added.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara earlier said the health subsidy is part of the expanded benefits awaiting public school teachers and non-teaching personnel.

On September 5, Angara vowed to start the release of P26.9 billion worth of salary differential within September; the increase of teaching allowance to P10,000; and the implementation of expanded career progression for additional positions, including the teaching track with Teachers IV, Teacher V, and Teacher VI, as well as streamlining of administrative items including School Principal I, II, III, and IV, among others. (PNA)