President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday led the oath-taking ceremony for 4,125 newly promoted and newly hired education personnel of the Department of Education Region II in Santiago City, Isabela.
The promotions were part of the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System, which provides career advancement opportunities for public school teachers and school heads.
In Region II, the ECP initiative covers teaching positions, including Teachers I-VII, Master Teachers I-IV, and Principals I-IV, as well as 1,197 newly created non-teaching positions.
Marcos, in his speech, said the promotions were part of the government’s efforts to ensure that teachers are properly recognized for their service and given opportunities for professional advancement.
‘Dahil sa aming pananaw, hindi naman tama na ibinibigay ninyo ang napakalaking bahagi ng inyong buhay sa pagtuturo, tapos hindi kayo uunlad sa inyong propesyon,’ he said during the ceremony at the Santiago City Sports Arena in Barangay Baluarte.
(From our perspective, it isn’t right that you devote a huge part of your lives to teaching, yet you don’t progress in your profession
He said the ECP System is creating more opportunities for teachers and school heads to advance in their careers while continuing to serve in their chosen fields.
As of September, a total of 82,105 teachers and school heads nationwide had already been promoted under the administration’s career progression initiatives.
The president also highlighted the role of teachers in protecting their students, particularly following recent incidents of violence involving students.
‘Sa ating mga teacher, mahalaga ang tulong ninyo upang matugunan natin ang hamong ito. Hindi lamang kayo nagtuturo ng aralin, kayo ang gumagabay, nag-aalaga, at tumutulong humubog sa kinabukasan ng kabataang Pilipino,’ he said.