The Department of Education (DepEd) has vowed to assist Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) teachers who may be affected by the tension in the Middle East and choose to return home.

DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara said returning OFW teachers will be given priority for teaching positions in public schools.

“Binibigyang prioridad ang mga  bumabalik, returning OFW teachers natin, para makapagturo sa local schools… nabibigyan din sila ng position once… sa DepEd na ‘yun. We absorb them naman through a regular budget,” Angara said.

Angara made the statement after leading the oath-taking ceremony of 2,649 newly promoted teachers and school heads in the Davao Region in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

Angara said the promotion is part of DepEd’s Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system, which seeks to address the long-standing backlog in promotions.

The ECP system provides a clearer and fairer means for their promotions based on qualifications and performance.

“Ito ay pagkilala sa sa taong serbisyo na araw araw naghihirap nag-o-overtime kahit overcrowded ang silid-aralan secondary na lang yong ilang sweldo more importantly ma-inspire sila for the future pagbutihin talaga nila dahil we need to improve our education outcomes,” Angara added.

Meanwhile, Angara said around P200 billion from flood control project funds were realigned to support key education programs.

“At least P200 billion I think was realigned from the budget for other programs talagang binigyan prioridad,” Angara said.