CAMARINES Sur congressmen are seeking to double the Department of Education’s (DepEd) funding for its career progression program to P12 billion in 2027, citing the promotion of more than 5,000 public school teachers and school heads in the province this year.
In a statement, Camarines Sur Reps. Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Vincenzo Renato Villafuerte expressed support for the DepEd’s Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System following the recent mass oath-taking ceremony led by Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara at the Freedom Sports Complex in the capital town of Pili.
Miguel Luis thanked the Marcos administration for the implementation of the Expanded Career Progression Program, noting that 5,354 teachers and school heads in the Camarines Sur Division had officially been promoted under the initiative.
Miguel Luis, chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Information and Communications Technology, also highlighted the P6-billion allocation for the program in the 2026 national budget, saying he would push for a higher allocation in 2027.
‘We are proud that the House of Representatives provided P6 billion in funding for this program in 2026. We will continue to advocate for doubling this amount in 2027 so that more teachers can benefit from career advancement opportunities,’ Villafuerte said.
Meanwhile, Vincenzo Renato, a deputy majority leader, described the ceremony as a milestone for Camarines Sur and praised teachers and school heads for their dedication, sacrifices, and commitment to public education.
He thanked Angara for expanding opportunities through the ECP System, saying the program allows educators to advance professionally and receive recognition for their qualifications and achievements.
The event was attended by Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte and DepEd Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad.
Governor Villafuerte also expressed appreciation to President Marcos and Angara for their leadership, citing that more than 82,000 teachers nationwide have been promoted through the program.
He stressed that efforts to strengthen the ECP System would continue, with Congressmen Miguel Luis and Vincenzo Renato Villafuerte committing to secure a P12-billion allocation in the proposed 2027 national budget to expand promotion opportunities for more teachers and provide greater benefits for Filipino families.
‘Investing in teachers means investing in the future of every Bicolano child,’ the governor said.
The Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System was established through Executive Order 174 in 2022 and later institutionalized through Republic Act 12288, also known as the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act.
The law created a structured pathway for teachers and school leaders to advance in rank and salary without having to wait for vacancies or retirements among higher-ranking personnel.
The system provides separate career tracks for teachers who wish to continue classroom instruction and those who want to pursue school leadership or administrative roles.
Unlike automatic promotion based solely on years of service, the ECP System promotes career advancement based on merit, competence, qualifications, fitness, and adherence to professional standards.