AROUND 3,325 newly promoted teachers and school principals in Cebu, including those promoted under the government’s Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System for Public School Teachers.
The ECP, under Executive Order No. 174, S. 2022, allows teachers to be promoted based on their actual skills and merit rather than the availability of vacant positions.
Speaking at the IEC Convention Center in Cebu, President Marcos recognized the vital role of teachers in shaping young minds and building the nation’s future, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring their welfare and boosting their morale.
“Marami sa inyo ang naglaan ng buong buhay sa pagtuturo. Gumigising ng madaling-araw, natutulog ng hating-gabi upang turuan, gabayan, at hubugin ang kabataang Pilipino,” President Marcos told the teachers.
“Para sa inyo, ang pagiging guro ay hindi lang trabaho, ito ay isang bokasyon, isang sagradong tungkulin… Dahil dito, napakalaki ang paghanga at respeto ko sa inyo.”
“This occasion also signifies this Administration’s deep appreciation for the work that you do and our commitment to ensure that our teachers continue to receive the support and recognition that you all deserve,” President Marcos added.
According to the President, public school teachers have long faced limited promotion opportunities and unclear career pathways, with many taking 10 to 20 years to move from Teacher I to Teacher III, and another lengthy period to advance from Teacher III to Master Teacher I.
Under the ECP program, however, the President said teachers are now offered clearer pathways for professional growth, allowing them to choose between two distinct career tracks—classroom teaching or school administration.
The program also created new positions, including Teacher IV to VII, Master Teacher V to VI, and School Principal V, providing educators with more opportunities for career advancement.
“Kung dati po, may pangamba kayo na matatapos ang mahabang panahon ng serbisyo, hindi kayo mapo-promote. Ngayon, mas malinaw na ang landas ng pag-unlad sa inyong propesyon,” the President said.
Through reclassification, the President said nearly 19,500 teachers and school heads nationwide were promoted from August 2025 to February 2026.
Aside from the ECP program, President Marcos also cited other government initiatives to improve teachers’ welfare, including the creation of more than 61,500 teaching positions from 2022 to 2025, with 97 percent already filled as of January 2026.
Meanwhile, to ease the administrative burden on teachers, the administration also created non-teaching positions during the same period, including 23,500 Administrative Officer (AO) II posts and 1,500 Project Development Officer (PDO) I posts, nearly 100 percent of which were filled as of January this year.
Starting the 2025–2026 School Year, the administration also released the full PhP10,000 teaching allowance.
“Sana’y makatulong ang mga oportunidad na ito na mapabuti ang buhay ninyo at ng inyong mga pamilya,” the President said.
During the event, teachers also had access to on-site training at booths set up by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, as well as to health services offered by the YAKAP Caravan of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation outside the venue.
The oath-taking ceremony is also part of the Department of Education’s effort to promote 100,000 teachers this year, in line with its 5-Point Reform Agenda aimed at strengthening the education workforce system.
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