By Brian Campued
“Hindi ako papayag na hindi masuklian ang inyong sakripisyo.”
Following successful promotion of public school teachers and school heads in Ilocos Region and Metro Manila earlier this year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnessed another mass oath-taking of 1,991 educators from the Bulacan and Pampanga cluster under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system.
In a speech at the ceremony in San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan on Thursday, the President underscored the role of teachers in shaping the future of the Filipino youth as well as the country as he reiterated the administration’s commitment to putting a premium on the country’s education sector.
“I have always believed that the true measure of a nation’s progress is the kind of future that we prepare for our youth. Policies and programs set the direction, but it is through you—our teachers—that these aspirations take root and grow,” he said.
“Kahit ilang laptop, Artificial Intelligence, o ano pang teknolohiya ang gamitin natin, wala pa ring papalit sa pagmamahal, sa malasakit, at sa alaga ng ating mga guro sa inyong mga estudyante,” he added.
Recognizing the incomparable sacrifices of educators, both inside and outside the classroom, the Chief Executive highlighted that the government allocated more than P1.34 trillion for education this year, equivalent to more than 4% of the country’s gross domestic product.
“[G]umagawa tayo ng mga hakbang upang marami pang guro ang tumaas ang posisyon, at kagaya ng aking ipinangako, walang sinuman na teacher ang magre-retire na Teacher I,
Kagaya ng aking nasabi dati, prayoridad natin ang edukasyon hanggang matapos ang administrasyong ito,” he said.
President Marcos Jr. also enumerated key support programs for teachers, including the release of the Service Recognition Incentive for 2025, teaching allowance for S.Y. 2025–2026 worth P10,000, as well as medical allowance worth P7,000.
“Patuloy din nating pinalalawak ang oportunidad para sa promosyon ng mga guro sa pamamagitan ng pagbubukas ng mas maraming senior positions,” he said.
“After all, when our teachers are supported, our students are better served, and our nation moves forward with greater confidence,” he added.
According to the Department of Education (DepEd), more than 16,000 teachers nationwide have already been promoted under the ECP framework, with about 40,000 more applications under review.
Republic Act No. 12288 or the Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, signed by President Marcos Jr. in 2025, established a competency-based system allowing educators to move up either through classroom teaching or school leadership tracks, with equivalent salaries and benefits.
“Sa pagpapabilis at pagpapalawak ng promosyon, mas napapalakas natin ang hanay ng mga guro na siyang susi sa mas dekalidad na edukasyon para sa bawat batang Pilipino,” said Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who led the mass oath-taking ceremony.
“Malinaw na pagsasabuhay ito ng prayoridad ng Pangulo na palakasin ang ating sistema ng edukasyon sa pamamagitan ng mas matibay na suporta sa ating mga guro,” Angara added.
After the ceremony, President Marcos Jr. and Angara visited Minuyan Elementary School to check on the rollout of the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP) and Kalinga Caravan, offering free health consultations, blood sugar and cholesterol screenings, laboratory services, and medicines for teachers and students.
The President also distributed school bags to Kindergarten and Grade 1 students at Minuyan ES and Bagong Buhay A Integrated School.
-jpv
