THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) has welcomed the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) approval of 3,627 new teaching and teaching-related positions for the newly established Schools Division Office (SDO) of Sulu, a move aimed at strengthening basic education services in the province.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the approval would help ensure a smooth transition of the province’s education system to DepEd while protecting the livelihood and welfare of teachers and personnel.

“Alam natin na may kaunting pangamba kapag may ganitong kalaking pagbabago sa trabaho. Kaya ang mensahe natin sa ating mga guro at kawani sa Sulu: pamilya natin kayo sa DepEd, protektado kayo, at hindi natin pababayaan ang inyong kabuhayan,” Angara said.

“Obligasyon nating kilalanin ang sakripisyo ng ating mga guro at tuparin ang sinabi ni Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na walang maiiwan habang inililipat natin sa DepEd ang sistema ng edukasyon sa Sulu,” he added.

Under the DBM-approved allocation, the 3,627 positions comprise 3,618 teaching items ranging from Teacher I to Master Teacher II for kindergarten, elementary, and junior high school levels, as well as nine teaching-related positions, including Head Teacher I and School Principal I and II.

The latest approval comes on top of the DBM’s earlier authorization of 84 administrative and division positions to staff the SDO Sulu headquarters.

Of these 84 positions, 40 are currently occupied by personnel from the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education deployed in Sulu. These employees are being prioritized for absorption into DepEd, subject to Civil Service Commission rules.

Angara praised Sulu’s teachers for continuing to deliver education services despite the challenges they face, emphasizing the department’s commitment to ensuring that the transition does not disrupt their work or livelihood.

“Bilib tayo sa dedikasyon ng ating mga guro sa Sulu dahil sa kabila ng mga hamon, tuloy-tuloy silang nagturo. Kaya ginagawa nating mabilis at maayos itong transisyon para sa kanila, para ang tanging isipin na lamang nila ay ang paggabay at pagtuturo sa ating mga kabataan,” he said.

DepEd, in coordination with the DBM, Regional Office IX, and local government partners, is expediting deployment and appointment procedures to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of salaries, benefits, and operational support.

The move forms part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the education workforce in Sulu and ensure that teachers and school personnel receive the institutional support needed to serve learners effectively.