House Speaker Martin Romualdez has praised the Department of Education (DepEd) under Secretary Sonny Angara for the "timely" issuance of the guidelines on overtime pay for public school teachers.

Romualdez, in a statement Wednesday, Sept. 10, says the move ensures that educators receive just and fair compensation for their selfless service to the nation.

It further addresses the longstanding clamor of public school teachers to be adequately remunerated for work performed outside their regular schedules, said the Leyte 1st district congressman and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president.

He noted the issuance of the guidelines is especially meaningful as the country celebrates the 2025 National Teachers’ Month this September.

“Hindi matatawaran ang papel na ginagampanan ng ating mga guro bilang pangalawang magulang ng ating mga anak at taga-hubog ng kanilang kamalayan. Kadalasan ay higit pa ang oras na ginugugol nila sa trabaho, magampanan lang ang tungkulin na ilabas ang talino at talento ng ating mga mag-aaral,” Romualdez said.

(The role our teachers play as second parents to our children and as shapers of their awareness cannot be understated. Often, they spend more time at work just to fulfill the duty of bringing out the intelligence and talent of our students.)

He says the new guidelines reflect President Marcos' commitment to uphold the welfare and dignity of teachers under the Bagong Pilipinas vision.

“The Marcos administration is showing that it listens to the needs of our teachers and acts decisively to address them. Ang bagong patakaran na ito ay patunay na pinapahalagahan ng gobyerno ang ating mga guro—ang mga huwarang lingkod-bayan na patuloy na naglilingkod nang buong puso,” Romualdez said.

(This new policy is proof that the government values our teachers—the exemplary public servants who continue to serve wholeheartedly.)

The Speaker notes that while teaching is a vocation that can never be fully repaid, the DepEd’s new policy on overtime pay is a significant first step in valuing teachers’ sacrifices.

“Ito ay hindi lamang karagdagang kita, kundi isang konkretong patunay ng pagkilala at pagbibigay katarungan para sa kanilang dedikasyon at sakripisyo sa pagtupad sa kanilang tungkulin,” he stressed.

(This is not merely additional income, but a concrete recognition and affirmation of their dedication and sacrifice in fulfilling their responsibilities.)

Under DepEd Order No. 26, series of 2025, teachers will be entitled to 125 percent of their actual hourly rate for authorized overtime work on weekdays and 150 percent for work rendered on Saturdays, holidays, and non-working days.

The policy covers all DepEd-employed teachers engaged in full-time classroom teaching, including those in the Alternative Learning System, whether holding permanent, substitute, or provisional appointments. Overtime will be authorized only when extremely necessary, such as when unfinished tasks directly affect learner development or school operations.

Romualdez expressed confidence that DepEd, under Angara, will continue to implement reforms that reduce the administrative load of teachers and improve their overall welfare.

“Just as teachers in public schools are dedicated to honing the next generation of leaders and movers, we in the government must also be equally committed to measures that benefit our educators and allow them to focus on their mission of teaching,” he said.