President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has authorized the release of an additional ₱8.68 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd) to support career advancement and salary increases for public school personnel under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System, Malacañang said Thursday.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro announced the funding during a press briefing on September 3, saying the move reflects the administration’s efforts to recognize the experience, skills, and professional growth of workers in the education sector.
“Ang hakbang na ito ng Pangulo para sa sektor ng edukasyon ay patunay lamang sa seryosong hangarin ng Pangulo sa pagyabong ng kaalaman ng mga batang Pilipino,” she said.
The additional allocation will finance the continued implementation of the ECP, including obligations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 involving personnel who have already received Notices of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) and corresponding appointments.
Castro said the funding will benefit more than 93,344 public school personnel across the country.
The ECP was created to provide teachers with a pathway to professional advancement and improved compensation while allowing them to remain in classroom-based teaching positions.
The program seeks to give educators opportunities to progress in their careers without requiring them to leave the teaching profession.
Under a directive from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), regional DBM offices will process the funds for subsequent distribution to DepEd regional offices.
The arrangement is expected to facilitate and accelerate the transfer of funding required to carry out the ECP.
Castro also disclosed that the government has proposed ₱12.9 billion for the ECP in the 2027 national budget.
The proposed funding would support the continued rollout of the career progression framework for education personnel.
According to Castro, the proposed 2027 allocation represents an increase of ₱5.94 billion, equivalent to a 96.6% rise from the amount provided for the program in fiscal year 2026.