Underscoring government’s commitment to support teachers at the frontlines of learning recovery, President Ferdinand Marcos and the Department of Education (DepEd) capped this year’s National Teachers’ Month and World Teachers’ Day celebration with the rollout of programs and benefits aimed at strengthening the welfare, training, and professional growth of educators.
At the National Teachers’ Day Culminating Program, Marcos joined Education Secretary Juan Edgardo ‘Sonny’ Angara, National Teachers Month Coordinating Council (NTMCC) Chair Aniceto Sobrepeña of Metrobank Foundation, DepEd officials, lawmakers, and education partners in recognizing the pivotal role of teachers in nation-building.
‘Patuloy na nagbibigay ang DepEd ng prayoridad sa inyong kapakanan, mula sa career progression, dagdag benepisyo tulad ng teaching, medical, overtime at overload pay, hanggang sa pagbawas ng admin tasks. Lagi kayong kaagapay ng Kagawaran. Ngunit gaya ng paalala ni Pangulong Marcos, dapat maramdaman ang tulong sa bawat silid-aralan, sa bawat guro, sa bawat bata,’ Angara said.
Meanwhile, in his keynote message, Marcos said that the teachers are the guiding hands, and in their hands lies the nation’s progress.
‘In your strength, in your wisdom and in your courage, we find assurance that our future is secured. For this National Teachers’ Day, we offer our respect, our deepest gratitude for shaping minds, touching hearts and in your way, building a nation that we can be proud of, one student at a time,’ Marcos said.
DepEd, likewise, highlighted reforms designed to ease teachers’ workload and improve working conditions, among them the reduction of required school forms being accomplished by teachers and the creation of 60,000 new teaching positions under the proposed 2026 national budget.
Under the PBBM administration, teachers have received higher allowances and benefits, including the P10,000 teaching allowance under the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, the medical allowance of up to P7,000 for eligible personnel, and the Special Hardship Allowance for teachers assigned to difficult posts.
Public school teachers are also set to receive the annual World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit of P1,000.
Meanwhile, private school teachers also received a P6,000 increase in the annual salary subsidy for private school teachers covered by the Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) component of the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program.
Other measures include the release of the 2023 performance-based bonus, expanded vacation service credits from 15 to 30 days, and the implementation of a clearer career progression system that provides additional teaching and administrative positions to address teachers’ long-standing concerns about promotions.
Under the current administration, teacher profession is also being improved through the launch of the Teacher Education Roadmap 2025-2035 and the Education Center for AI Research (E-CAIR), which will support teachers in adapting to emerging technologies. DepEd said these complement the agency’s push to digitize classrooms, backed by a proposed more budget for laptops and connectivity support next year.
Angara pointed to the resilience of teachers who continue to serve despite the recent string of disasters that struck parts of the country, including the 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu and typhoons that damaged schools in Northern Luzon and Bicol.
He said DepEd is working to speed up the delivery of temporary learning spaces, modular learning materials, and psychosocial support for affected teachers and students.
‘Our teachers have been the first to step up in every crisis, ensuring that children’s education does not stop. That is why recovery efforts are tied closely with teacher support,’ Angara said.
The culminating event, attended by some 12,500 teachers from Luzon and Metro Manila, also featured the unveiling of a PhilPost commemorative stamp, recognition of national awardees from TESDA, Metrobank Foundation, and other partners, and a variety show with raffle draws as tribute to educators’ contributions.