MORE than 93,000 public school personnel are set to receive long-awaited salary upgrades after the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) approved the release of PHP8.68 billion to the Department of Education (DepEd) for positions reclassified under the Expanded Career Progression (ECP) System.

In a statement Thursday, the DBM said the funding will cover salary differentials for 93,344 reclassified positions nationwide, including personnel with issued Notices of Organization, Staffing, and Compensation Action (NOSCA) and appointments.

Acting Budget Secretary Kim Robert de Leon said the funding will enable qualified personnel to receive the salaries corresponding to their upgraded positions.

“Pinaghirapan nila ang career advancement na ito, kaya dapat maramdaman din nila ang benepisyo nito,” De Leon said.

The release covers ECP requirements for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 and will be charged against DepEd’s 2026 built-in Personnel Services (PS) lump-sum appropriations.

DBM regional offices will facilitate the release of the corresponding funds to DepEd regional offices for the qualified personnel.

The ECP System allows public school teachers to advance to higher positions and receive higher salaries while remaining on the teaching track, giving them opportunities for career growth without having to leave the classroom.

For 2027, the proposed national budget includes PHP12.09 billion for the ECP System, representing an increase of PHP5.94 billion, or 96.6 percent, from its FY 2026 funding.

“We want teaching to be a profession where our educators can build a rewarding, lifelong career. Hindi dapat kailangang iwan ng isang mahusay na guro ang classroom para lamang magkaroon ng pagkakataong umangat,” De Leon said.

“By investing in their career progression, we are investing in better teachers, better classrooms, and ultimately, a better future for our children,” he added.

The ECP program is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment that no public school teacher should retire at the entry-level Teacher I position.