Over 5,300 teachers, school heads in CamSur take oath under DepEd career progression program

More than 5,300 newly promoted and reclassified teachers and school heads in Camarines Sur took their oath on Friday under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System, which aims to provide educators with faster opportunities for promotion.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the mass oath-taking of 5,354 educators at the Camarines Sur Freedom Sports Complex in Pili, describing the event as a milestone in implementing the government’s teacher career progression reforms in the Bicol Region.

The ceremony formally implemented the ECP System under Executive Order No. 174, s. 2022 and DepEd Order No. 034, s. 2025.

The ECP seeks to address long-standing limitations in teacher promotions by allowing public school teachers and school heads to advance based on merit, performance, and professional standards instead of waiting for vacant positions.

Under the system, educators may move through expanded career tracks from Teacher I to Teacher VII, Master Teacher I to V, and School Principal I to IV.

Angara said the initiative fulfills President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.‘s commitment to improve teachers’ career prospects.

“Bahagi ng bisyon ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos nang kanyang lagdaan ang ECP na wala nang Teacher I na magre-retire bilang Teacher I. We will continue to fulfill that promise because under the ECP, teachers and school heads no longer have to wait for decades for a vacancy to move up,” Angara said.

(Part of President Bongbong Marcos’ vision when he signed the ECP was that no Teacher I should retire as a Teacher I. We will continue to fulfill that promise because under the ECP, teachers and school heads no longer have to wait for decades for a vacancy to move up.)

In his recent State of the Nation Address, Marcos reported that more than 82,000 educators nationwide have already received appointments under the ECP framework.

During the event, Angara also honored 35 of Camarines Sur’s longest-serving teachers in recognition of their decades of service in basic education.

“On behalf of President Marcos, we thank you for your years—and for many of you, decades of unwavering service to our learners and their families. Sigurado akong libo-libong kabataang Pilipino na ang inyong nabigyang-inspirasyon. Saludo kami sa inyong dedikasyon, sakripisyo, at walang sawang paglilingkod sa ating bayan,” he said.

(On behalf of President Marcos, we thank you for your years—and for many of you, decades of unwavering service to our learners and their families. I am certain that you have inspired thousands of young Filipinos. We salute your dedication, sacrifice, and tireless service to our nation.)

Angara also led the ceremonial turnover of lapel microphones to teachers as part of DepEd’s efforts to provide classroom tools that help reduce vocal strain during daily instruction.

DepEd said the distribution supports the administration’s commitment to prioritize teachers’ health and welfare while equipping them with modern teaching resources.—Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA News