DepEd will release the P5-K teachers' allowance on August 22

On August 22, the Department of Education (DepEd) would give public school teachers a PHP5,000 cash stipend for the commencement of the 2022–2023 academic year.

DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa stated during a news conference that the financial aid is meant to support the teachers' return to the classroom.

“Lahat po ng teachers, makakatanggap. Ibababa po iyan sa, I think, school divisions. I’ll confirm. Pero lahat po ay makatatanggap by August 22 noong PHP5,000 cash allowance (All teachers will get that. I think it will be downloaded to school divisions. I'll confirm but everyone will get their PHP5,000 cash allowance by August 22),” Poa said.

“Ito po ay para masigurado na kumpleto sila sa mga kagamitan (This is to ensure that they have the complete tools), especially for the minimum health and safety standards to be observed tulad ng mga alcohol (like alcohol). It’s not specifically to ask them to buy face masks. Hindi po ganoon iyon (That's not it). It’s really for the MOOE. We’re giving them the flexibility to buy whatever they need,” he said.

Additional Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) totaling PHP3.7 billion in total would be provided to schools worldwide in addition to the cash allowance to help them get ready for the next face-to-face lessons, according to Poa. Additionally, he mentioned the potential of a raise for teachers before 2023.

A successful return to face-to-face or in-person instruction is something that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier voiced his wish for, adding that it will hasten the country's economic recovery from the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

According to Marcos, the start of in-person classes will boost economic activity in businesses around schools, including those selling school supplies, in the retail sector, and in public transportation.

“Kapag ito ay naging matagumpay, hindi lang ito balik-eskuwela kundi balik-negosyo, balik-hanapbuhay at balik-kaunlaran. Ito ay masasabi ring malaking tulong sa malawakang kilusan natin ng pagbubukas ng ekonomiya (If this becomes successful, it won’t only mean the resumption of classes but also the resumption of business, livelihood, and economic development. This would be a huge help to our efforts to reopen the economy),” he said.

Additionally, parents will be able to return to the labor while their kids are still in school, increasing the workforce.