The Department of Education (DepEd) has promoted nearly 2,000 public school teachers and school leaders in Central Luzon, accelerating the rollout of the government’s expanded career progression program aimed at strengthening teacher welfare, retention, and education quality.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara led the oath-taking of 1,991 promoted and reclassified personnel from Bulacan and Pampanga on Thursday, Feb. 19, at the City of San Jose del Monte Sports Complex, in one of the largest batches of promotions under the new system.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who attended the ceremony, praised the promoted teachers and emphasized the vital role teachers play in nation-building.

The promotions form part of the nationwide implementation of Republic Act No. 12288, or the Career Progression for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act, signed in 2025.

DepEd said the landmark reform created a structured, competency-based system allowing educators to advance either in classroom teaching or school leadership tracks, with equivalent salaries and benefits.

Angara said accelerating promotions strengthens the teaching workforce and supports the government’s push to improve learning outcomes.

“Sa pagpapabilis at pagpapalawak ng promosyon, mas napapalakas natin ang hanay ng mga guro na siyang susi sa mas dekalidad na edukasyon para sa bawat batang Pilipino (By accelerating and expanding promotions, we strengthen the ranks of our teachers, who are the key to providing quality education for every Filipino child),” Angara said.

“Malinaw na pagsasabuhay ito ng prayoridad ng Pangulo na palakasin ang ating sistema ng edukasyon sa pamamagitan ng mas matibay na suporta sa ating mga guro (This is a clear manifestation of the President’s priority to reinforce our education system through stronger support for our teachers),” he added.

DepEd said the newly promoted personnel included teachers elevated from Teacher II to Teacher VII, Master Teachers I to III, and school heads promoted from Principal I to Principal IV—reflecting expanded career opportunities under the law.

Central Luzon, DepEd said, accounted for one of the largest groups of promoted teachers in recent months.

DepEd data showed Bulacan recorded 408 promotees, followed by Pampanga with 368.

Other divisions included Mabalacat City with 301, Angeles City with 238, City of San Fernando with 233, San Jose del Monte City with 145, Meycauayan City with 128, Malolos City with 90, and Baliwag with 80.

Nationwide, more than 16,000 teachers have already been promoted under the expanded career progression system, while around 40,000 more applications are under review, DepEd said.

DepEd said the reform addresses long-standing promotion bottlenecks by introducing additional teaching ranks, including Teacher IV to VII and Master Teacher V, allowing educators to advance professionally without leaving classroom instruction.

DepEd noted that the career progression initiative is part of broader reforms to improve teacher welfare, boost morale, and retain experienced educators in public schools.

The department said it has been rolling out similar promotion activities nationwide, including 789 teachers promoted in the Ilocos Region and 2,915 personnel in the National Capital Region (NCR) earlier this year.

At the same time, DepEd continues to roll out the YAKAP program, a comprehensive initiative promoting the welfare of teachers, personnel, and learners, including expanded access to healthcare services through its partnership with PhilHealth.

President Marcos and Angara also visited Minuya Elementary School to observe the program’s implementation, engage with educators and staff, and reaffirm the government’s commitment to supporting teachers not only in their careers but also in their overall well-being.