“You carry a huge responsibility every single day, inside the classrooms and always extending way beyond school hours. Batid ko po ang bigat ng inyong tungkulin… And for that, this nation is grateful to you all.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday thus recognized the vital contributions and sacrifices of educators and committed to continue improving the teaching profession as he led the oath-taking of newly promoted teachers and school heads of the Department of Education (DepEd) National Capital Region (NCR).
Addressing the “RISE in Service” oath-taking ceremony under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) held in Makati City, President Marcos described the occasion as a meaningful moment not only for teachers but for the entire country, as teachers renew their commitment to service and to nation-building.
The President acknowledged the significant responsibilities borne by teachers, both inside and outside the classroom, including long hours spent preparing lesson plans, grading papers, guiding students as second parents, and volunteering as facilitators during elections and census activities.
The President also emphasized that building a better nation begins with good education and with the teachers who further mold young minds to be disciplined, honest, and compassionate.
“Sa bawat batang natututo ng tama at mali, sa bawat kaalaman na naibabahagi, dito nagsisimula ang pagbabago. At kayo, ang ating mga guro, ang humuhubog nito,” the President said.
President Marcos also reiterated that teaching is not an easy profession, as it requires patience, sacrifice, and courage; therefore, such dedication must be matched with concrete government support.
The President highlighted that education remains the government’s top priority, with more than PhP1.34 trillion allocated to the sector, or more than four percent of the country’s economy.
Budgetary support measures include the release of the 2025 Service Recognition Incentive for teachers and non-teaching staff, with the recent additional PhP7.3 billion to cover all eligible teachers; the release of the PhP10,000 teaching allowance for School Year 2025 to 2026; and the issuance of guidelines on the grant of the PhP7,000 medical allowance in 2025.
The President also underscored ongoing efforts to create additional teaching positions, reduce administrative workload, and expand career pathways through strategic reclassification under the ECP, which allows senior educators to advance based on merit and open new entry positions to new graduates.
“And, as I said in my third State of the Nation Address, no public school teacher should retire as Teacher I anymore… Your promotion will be a doorway to a better life for you and your family. We hope to help you achieve greater financial stability and the much-deserved recognition for your very, very hard work,” President Marcos said.
“Beyond these benefits and changes, our commitment to creating a system that protects and empowers teachers remains steadfast.”
The President also reminded teachers and school heads that every responsible citizen passes through them and urged them to teach not only books but also lessons that shape lives: integrity, responsibility, and patriotism.
“Mga minamahal kong mga guro, sa inyong mga kamay nakasalalay ang susunod na henerasyon ng Pilipino. On behalf of the Filipino people, thank you for choosing to build a nation with us through this noble profession,” the President concluded. | PND
