MANILA — Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo has filed a measure seeking to institutionalize accessible and affordable hospital services for all public school teachers and their dependents.

Tulfo filed Senate Bill No. 1585, citing a 2023 study published in Acta Medica Philippina which showed that Filipino teachers experience a high prevalence of stress-related disorders, hypertension, and musculoskeletal problems, compounded by insufficient access to preventive health care.

He also noted that the World Health Organization has emphasized that educators, particularly those in under-resourced settings, face heightened risks of occupational burnout and chronic fatigue when healthcare support systems are inadequate.

“Despite these challenges, health and hospitalization benefits for public school teachers remain minimal and fragmented,” Tulfo said.

The senator added that the absence of structured hospital benefits has placed teachers at a disadvantage compared with other public servants who enjoy agency-specific medical privileges.

Under SB No. 1585, all government hospitals would be mandated to provide preventive, promotive, diagnostic, curative, and rehabilitative health care to public school teachers and their dependents. The bill also seeks to grant at least a 10-percent discount on consultations and hospitalization expenses, as well as establish fast-lane facilities for teachers.

“By ensuring access to hospital care and medical benefits, this measure addresses not only the health inequities faced by public educators but also strengthens the overall teaching workforce,” Tulfo said.

“Healthy, supported teachers foster better student learning outcomes and community trust which are key elements of a sustainable and equitable education System,” he added.