MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthen government programs that promote teachers’ welfare and career advancement, as the country marked the culmination of National Teachers’ Month and World Teachers’ Day.

Speaking during the 2025 National Teachers’ Day celebration in Pasay City, Marcos paid tribute to teachers’ dedication and sacrifices in molding Filipino learners into responsible and capable citizens.

“You here are the guiding hands and in your hands our nation’s progress is held. In your strength, in your wisdom, and in your courage, we find the assurance that our future is secure,” the President said.

“On this National Teachers’ Day, we offer you our respect, our deepest gratitude for shaping minds, touching hearts, and in your way building a nation that we can be proud of one student at a time,” he added.

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), teachers under the Marcos administration now receive increased benefits and allowances. These include a ₱10,000 teaching allowance under the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, a medical allowance of up to ₱7,000, a Special Hardship Allowance for those assigned to difficult posts, and a ₱1,000 incentive every Teachers’ Day.

Private school teachers also benefited from a ₱6,000 increase in their annual salary subsidy through the Teachers’ Salary Subsidy (TSS) under the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program.

DepEd likewise implemented an expanded career progression system that allows teachers to be promoted based on their qualifications, as well as a department order granting 30 days of vacation service credits to improve working conditions.

To address the growing demand for educators, the government plans to create 60,000 new teaching positions, with ₱114.39 billion allocated under the proposed 2026 national budget for salaries and benefits.

DepEd is also enhancing the teaching profession through the launch of the Teacher Education Roadmap 2025–2035 and the Education Center for AI Research (E-CAIR), which aim to equip teachers with emerging technologies and support the government’s digitalization efforts.

The department proposed a ₱16-billion budget for 2026 to fund its digitalization programs, including laptops and internet support for public school teachers. | PND