Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones thanked Monday, Sept. 6, teachers for their contribution to education.
"In our society, the teacher is the most beloved of all government employees. A great man will never forget his teacher in Grade 1 or Grade 2 who taught him to read or write. Many of us have happy memories of the times that we shared with our favorite teachers," Briones said during the virtual National Teachers' Month kick-off.
"The advice that they gave, the tenderness, the interest in our progress, and the desire to help us improve our language of learning, as well as prepare us for real-life lessons," she added.
On the celebration of National Teachers' Day, Briones announced that public schools teachers will receive a P1,000 incentive on World Teachers' Day in October.
The World Teachers' Day Incentive Benefit (WTDIB) will be at a total cost of P910 million.
Briones said DepEd is creating additional positions for teachers "so they can move with their salary grades and not just stop on Teacher III and jump on to Master 1."
The Education secretary noted that Teacher I currently receives a basic salary of P23,877, while a Master Teacher receives a basic salary of P60,901.
The current teaching carer line now has items for Teacher IV, V, and VIII, Briones added.
"These are small reminders, small expressions of appreciation, and love from all of us. Not only from the government, but from citizens, among the parents of our children, and most especially, from children themselves," Briones said.
Briones also urged teachers to "never let go of the love for learners, for continuous search for better ways of preparing learners for the future."
World Teachers' Day, also known as International Teachers Day, is an international day held annually on Oct. 5.
In the Philippines, a month-long celebration to recognize the significant role of teachers in educating Filipino children is held through National Teachers' Month starting Sept. 5.