A party-list lawmaker on Friday proposed a measure mandating the provision of free on-site living quarters for public school teachers.

Pinuno party-list Rep. Howard Guintu filed House Bill 1041, which aims to reduce the burden of public school teachers who spend long hours of travel to get to their designated schools, by providing them with free housing.

“This bill will address the problems of our public school teachers who need to travel through mountainous regions for long hours just to reach their designated schools,” Guintu said in the bill’s explanatory note.

He said it would be practical for the government to provide housing for the teachers to help them save on transportation costs and provide more for their families, given the rising fuel prices.

Guintu noted that the Salary Standardization Law of 2019 provides that those who hold Teacher 1 positions only earn a monthly salary of PHP25,349.

Under the bill, the Department of Education (DepEd) shall, free of charge, provide livable and humane living quarters at the nearest possible location to the public schools.

The bill also provides that existing benefits and allowances given to public school teachers shall not be removed.

“Providing a safe and livable environment for our public school teachers will help improve their employment and working conditions,” Guintu said. (PNA)