As the nation prepares to honor its educators on World Teachers’ Day, Oct. 5, the government rolled out twin announcements that recognize the vital role of teachers in shaping the country’s future.
These are the release of the P1,000 World Teachers’ Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) and the creation of over 65,000 new teaching and nonteaching positions under the proposed 2026 national budget.
In a memorandum dated Sept. 25, the Department of Education (DepEd) directed the immediate release of the WTDIB for fiscal year 2025.
The incentive, amounting to P1,000 each, will be distributed to all public school teachers with permanent and provisional appointments, including those in community learning centers, provided they are in service on or before Oct. 5 of the school year.
Education Undersecretary Wilfredo Cabral stressed that implementing units with available funds may already begin processing payments to ensure that all eligible teaching personnel receive the incentive in time for the celebration.
Thousands of new jobs
The grant is anchored on Republic Act No. 4670, or the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers, which guarantees benefits to support and uplift educators.
Meanwhile, at the launch of Project Bukas at Parañaque National High School on Sept. 29, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman announced that the proposed 2026 national budget includes funding for more than 65,000 teaching and nonteaching positions.
The initiative, Pangandaman said, aims to ease the heavy administrative load that often pulls teachers away from their core task of classroom instruction.
‘This allocation will help relieve teachers of the burden of paperwork and allow them to focus on teaching,’ she said. The budget chief also paid tribute to the education community:
‘We give thanks to the teachers, administrators and everyone who help run our schools for your for your unwavering commitment and dedication to nurturing our future generations,’ Pangandaman said.
‘Nation’s Gratitude World Teachers’ Day,’ celebrated every Oct. 5, serves as a reminder of the indispensable role teachers play in nation-building. For educators across the Philippines, this year’s observance comes with both tangible support-cash incentives and new positions-and symbolic recognition of their enduring service.