UNDER the leadership and direction of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday assured the public that the House of Representatives will continue to sustain the funding for 20,000 new public school teaching positions in the 2026 national budget and beyond.
Speaker Romualdez said the House of Representatives will ensure funding for new teaching positions in the education sector led by Education Sec. Sonny Angara following the item’s full allocation under the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA).
He described the initiative of the Marcos administration as a transformative step that serves both the education sector and the broader goal of national job creation.
“All 20,000 new teaching items are about changing lives, not just addressing the shortage of teachers in our classrooms. Each position filled means a teacher in front of students who need guidance, and a Filipino family with a new source of income, dignity and hope,” Speaker Romualdez declared.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has confirmed that the funding will come from the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Built-in Appropriations under the “New School Personnel Positions” program for FY 2025.
Speaker Romualdez committed that the House will not only protect this funding during its implementation but will ensure its continuity in the 2026 budget and beyond.
The leader of the 306-strong House of Representatives expressed gratitude to President Marcos for his strong commitment to strengthening the education system and for recognizing that education reform must begin with the people who deliver it: the teachers.
“We thank the President for championing this initiative. This is what leadership looks like: one that understands that the future begins in every classroom,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He also lauded Angara for his hands-on approach and deep understanding of the systemic challenges in the education sector.
“Secretary Angara brought not only data but vision, backed by years of legislative work on education. Under his leadership, we know these funds will be translated into real results on the ground,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The Speaker emphasized that Congress approved the DepEd and Executive proposal with overwhelming support during the 2025 budget deliberations, precisely because lawmakers understood both the educational and economic value of the measure.
“Let’s be clear: this is not just an education initiative. It’s also a bold job-generation program,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“We are creating 20,000 permanent government positions. That means 20,000 families with new income, thousands of education graduates finally landing their first job, and hope returning to homes across the country,” he said.
Speaker Romualdez pointed out that many of these new teachers will be coming from provinces and rural areas, where employment opportunities are limited.
“We are giving our people a reason to stay and serve in their communities. This also helps local economies and strengthens our public school system from the grassroots up,” he added.
The House leader from Leyte said the program is also timely and strategic, as the country faces a growing student population and a long-standing shortage of classroom teachers, especially in far-flung barangays.
“This is the kind of intervention that solves multiple problems at once. We improve teacher-to-student ratios, relieve overburdened schools and, at the same time, generate thousands of new jobs for qualified Filipinos,” Speaker
Romualdez stressed.
Speaker Romualdez noted that the House will closely monitor the rollout of the hiring process to ensure speed, transparency and merit-based deployment, especially in high-need and disadvantaged areas.
“Our goal is not just to fill slots. We want to deploy mentors who are committed, competent and ready to serve. We are planting the seeds of real, lasting change, classroom by classroom, community by community,” Speaker Romualdez explained.
Speaker Romualdez also reaffirmed the commitment of the House to continue pushing for people-first policies that reflect the priorities of Bagong Pilipinas.
“Each teacher we hire is a nation builder,” Speaker Romualdez said. “With the President’s guidance, and with Secretary Angara’s leadership, the House will keep fighting for every Filipino child’s right to learn and every Filipino graduate’s right to work. This is how we build a better future together.”
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