By Billy Begas
Camarines Sur Representatives Migz and Luigi Villafuerte urged Congress to double the Department of Education’s (DepEd) budget for its career-progression program to P12 billion in 2027, citing the promotion of more than 5,000 public school teachers and school heads in their province this year alone.
The brothers, in separate social media posts, lauded the DepEd’s Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System following a recent mass oath-taking ceremony led by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara at the Freedom Sports Complex in Pili.
The event was also attended by Camarines Sur Gov. LRay Villafuerte and DepEd
Regional Director Gilbert Sadsad.
“Maraming Salamat, President Bong Bong Marcos, sa Expanded Career Progression Program! 5,354 na guro at school heads sa Camsur division ang official na na-promote under DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara,” Rep. Migz wrote in a social media post.
“Proud din kami na sa House of Representatives, P6 billion po ang nilaan na pondo para dito for the year 2026. Asahan po ninyo na isa ako sa mga magsusulong para madoble po ito sa 2027 para dumoble rin ang mga ma-promote pa sa DepEd,” added Rep. Migz, who chairs the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Meanwhile, Rep. Luigi, who is a Deputy Majority Leader, described the event as “a milestone for CamSur,” praising the teachers and school heads for their tireless efforts, dedication, and sacrifice.
Rep. Luigi thanked Angara for opening more opportunities through the ECP program, which gives teachers and school heads greater opportunities to grow professionally and receive recognition they have long deserved.
Gov. Villafuerte also expressed gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Angara for their leadership, noting that more than 82,000 teachers had been promoted nationwide.
“Ang investment sa teacher ay investment sa kinabukasan ng bawat batang Bicolano,” the governor said in a social media post.
Established under Executive Order 174 in 2022, the ECP was institutionalized three years later under the Career Progression System for Public School Teachers and School Leaders Act (Republic Act 12288).
The program opened opportunities for public school heads and teachers to advance in rank and salary without having to wait for higher plantilla positions to become vacant.
RA 12288 provides teaching and school administration career lines for those who want to remain in teaching or pursue school head and administrative positions.
Far from being an automatic promotion system based on years of service, the ECP provides a path for career growth based on merit, fitness, competence, qualifications, and professional standards.