More than 93,000 public school personnel are set to receive salary increases following the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) release of an additional P8.68 billion for the Department of Education (DepEd).
In a statement Thursday, the DBM said the funding will cover the salary differentials of 93,344 qualified DepEd personnel whose positions were reclassified under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System.
The ECP System provides public school teachers with expanded opportunities for professional advancement and higher compensation while allowing them to remain on the teaching track. The program aims to recognize teachers’ experience, competence, and continued professional development.
The newly released funds will cover the Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026 implementation requirements for personnel with issued Notices of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) and appointments, according to the DBM.
The amount will be charged against DepEd’s Fiscal Year 2026 built-in Personnel Services (PS) lump-sum appropriations, in line with the DBM-approved funding strategy for the ECP program.
To ensure the salary adjustments are implemented promptly, DBM Regional Offices will process and facilitate the corresponding fund releases to their respective DepEd Regional Offices.
“This P8.68-billion release means more than 93,000 qualified public school personnel can receive the compensation that comes with their reclassified positions,” Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon said.
The government is also proposing a higher allocation for the ECP System next year as part of efforts to expand career opportunities for public school teachers.
Under the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 national budget, P12.09 billion has been earmarked for the program. This is P5.94 billion, or 96.6 percent, higher than its 2026 allocation and is intended to support the continued reclassification and career advancement of public school teachers.
The DBM said the additional funding this year, along with the proposed increase for 2027, reflects the government’s efforts to strengthen career pathways for teachers and ensure that professional growth is matched with appropriate compensation.
The measures are also expected to contribute to efforts to build a stronger public education system for Filipino learners.
