Over 1,500 teachers, school heads in Caraga promoted

A total of 1,559 teachers and school heads in the Caraga region formally assumed their new posts on Sunday after taking their oath under the government’s Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system.

Among those who participated in the mass oathtaking ceremony at the Agusan Valley Convention Center in Agusan del Sur were 23 educators who had rendered up to 39 years of service.

In a speech, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo Jr. said the ECP system was introduced to address limited career advancement opportunities for teachers.

“Dahil limitado noon ang oportunidad para sa career advancement, maraming mahusay na guro ang nananatili sa parehong posisyon. Isa ito sa mga dahilan kung bakit natin isinulong ang Expanded Career Progression or ECP System," Lagdameo said.

("Because opportunities for career advancement were limited before, many excellent teachers remained in the same position. This is one of the reasons why we pushed for the Expanded Career Progression or ECP System.")

"Sa ilalim ng sistemang ito, mas malinaw na ngayon ang landas para sa pag-angat ng ating mga guro,” he added.

("Under this system, the path for our teachers’ advancement is now clearer.")

Lagdameo reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s earlier pledge that no public school teacher would retire with the rank of Teacher I.

“Muli ko pong uulitin ang aking pangako noong SONA: wala nang public school teacher ang magre-retire na Teacher I,” he said.

(“I will repeat my promise from the SONA once again: no public school teacher will retire as a Teacher I.”)

Established through Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022, the ECP system provides a career progression framework that allows public school teachers to advance in rank and salary.

Under the system, teachers may pursue either a classroom teaching track or a school administration track without waiting for vacant plantilla positions.

The promotions in Caraga also covered 91 teachers aged 55 to 64 who began their careers as Teacher I, giving them career advancement and higher pay shortly before retirement.

Earlier, President Marcos said nearly 80,000 teachers and school heads had been promoted under the ECP system since August 2025.

The government has also approved the creation of 32,916 new teaching positions for School Year 2026–2027.—MCG, GMA News