President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the education sector as he presided over the mass promotion and oath-taking of nearly 2,000 teachers and school heads in Central Luzon.
Marcos described the event as more than a ceremonial gathering, saying it symbolized ongoing structural reforms in the country’s public school system. He reiterated that education would remain a top priority of his administration through the remainder of his term.
The promotions were made possible under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) law, formally known as Republic Act No. 12288, which the President signed in 2025.
The measure broadened the ranking system for public school teachers, creating positions up to Teacher VII and Master Teacher V, while establishing parallel leadership tracks with equivalent compensation. The reform aims to address long-standing bottlenecks in career advancement within the teaching profession.
According to the government, more than 16,000 teachers nationwide have already benefited from the new framework, while around 40,000 others are currently undergoing evaluation as part of the nationwide rollout.
Marcos also underscored the administration’s financial support for the sector, citing the ₱1.34-trillion allocation for education this year — the largest share of the national budget.
He added that efforts to expand healthcare access and sustain teaching and medical allowances complement the reform agenda.
In his speech, the President highlighted the enduring value of educators, even as schools adopt modern tools and digital technologies.
“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,” the Chief Executive said.