More than 8,000 newly promoted public school teachers and school leaders from Western Visayas took their oath in a landmark ceremony led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara at Villareal Stadium in Roxas City, Capiz.
The mass oath-taking marks the largest promotion event so far under the government’s Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system, a reform initiative aimed at accelerating the professional growth of public school educators. The Capiz gathering follows similar large-scale ceremonies held in Cebu, Davao, and Eastern Visayas in recent months.
Angara, who administered the oath, emphasized that the program reflects the administration’s commitment to ensuring that teachers’ years of service translate into meaningful career advancement. He noted that efforts are being made to remove long-standing barriers that have kept many educators in entry-level positions for decades.
President Marcos, joined by First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, witnessed the ceremony, reinforcing his earlier pledge that Filipino teachers should not retire without experiencing career progression beyond the Teacher I rank.
During the event, 57 of the longest-serving educators were given special recognition, with some having served between 35 and 42 years. Among them were teachers who, after decades in service, finally moved beyond their initial rank—an outcome the ECP system aims to make more common.
The reform introduces a structured, merit-based pathway that allows teachers to advance in both salary grades and professional ranks without leaving classroom teaching. Officials said this addresses a long-standing issue where promotions were limited and often tied to administrative positions rather than teaching excellence.
The DepEd is targeting up to 100,000 promotions nationwide within the year under the program, signaling a significant shift in how the government values and rewards educators.
For many teachers, the ceremony was more than a formal oath—it marked the culmination of years, even decades, of perseverance. Jocelyn Galvez, a teacher from Dumalag, Capiz, shared that her promotion from Teacher I to Teacher III after nearly 30 years in service represents a long-awaited milestone and a source of renewed pride in her profession.
Similarly, Evelyn Molavin of Jordan, Guimaras described the program as a turning point in her career. After spending 14 years at the entry-level rank, she gradually advanced and has now reached Teacher VI—an achievement she said once seemed out of reach.
The event highlighted not only policy reform but also the personal victories of thousands of educators, as the government continues efforts to reshape the teaching profession into one where dedication is met with tangible growth and recognition.